World no.3 Tim Price is chasing 5* glory at the MARS Maryland CCI5*-L in the United States this week.

He’s won the event once before, topping the podium in 2022 with Coup de Coeur Dudevin, but this time is lining up with his Paris Olympic mount Falco. The combo were the best of the Kiwis at the pinnacle event, finishing sixth individual.

Maryland has been a happy hunting ground for Tim who was also third with Xavier Faer (2021). He and Falco were meant to go last year but surgery on the horse put a halt to that.

“He’s a cool little horse and it is fun to finally get him back to 5* after a few years of doing other things,” says Tim.

The 15-year-old Hanoverian has only ever done one 5*, quickly showing his class with victory at Pau (2021) on debut. He was a double bronze medal winner – team and individual – at the Pratoni World Champs and then the Olympic Games.

“He has done quite a bit of winning along the way. This should be a fun time and it is a great event. They really host very well and it is usually a beautiful cross country course by Ian Stark.”

Tim, a five time 5* winner, said it was a good way to complete the season. “It has been a long one but this is going to be a really fun finish.”

Joe Meyer is the only other Kiwi in the 23-strong field and lines up with his 14-year-old Irish thoroughbred Harbin who made his 5* debut at Kentucky this year.

The 5* has attracted a classy field which includes world no.5 Oliver Townend (GBR), world no.6 Boyd Martin (USA) who won the event in 2021, world no.8 Harry Meade (GBR) and Kentucky 2023 winner Tamra Smith (USA).

Cross country designer Ian Stark says the venue presents a “true international test for the bold and accurate”.

It is the fourth time a 5* has been run at Maryland. It is one of just seven 5* events across the world. Competition starts with two days of dressage on Thursday and Friday, with the cross country on Saturday and showjumping on Sunday.

Joe Meyer also lines up in the CCI3*-L aboard Ballygriffin Crossfield Cara and Chilli Dawn, with fellow New Zealander Hayley Frielick and Sportsfield Lumiere in the 55-strong field.

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Horse Breed Owners
Falco by Cardenio 2 out of Witta who is by Weinberg

Sue Benson and Tim Price
Harbin by Verglas out of Rainbow City who is by Rainbow Quest

Ruth, Gay, John and Joe Meyer and Theresa Foote
Sportsfield Lumiere by Orestus out of Utah van de Bucktaele

Paul Richard Donovan
Ballygriffin Crossfield Cara by Obos Quality 004

Theresa Foote and Joe Meyer
Chilli Dawn By Chilli Morning, out of Curtain Call

Joe, Gay and John Meyer

By: Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison
Photos: Shannon Brinkman