Second for Spencer at Maryland 5*

Monica Spencer and Artist, 2nd MARS Maryland Five Star. Photo Credit Shannon Brinkman Photography

Monica Spencer and Artist have placed second in the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill in the United States this morning with Tayla Mason and Jonelle Price also in the top nine. Monica led through the dressage, posting a personal best of 23.7 penalty points and added nothing in the cross country, but rails at fences six and eight saw her add eight faults for a final tally of 31.7. It still produced their best-ever score and placing at 5* level. Commentators were effusive in their praise of the Kiwi combination, particularly through both the dressage and cross country tests.

Monica Spencer and Artist, 2nd MARS Maryland Five Star. Photo Credit Shannon Brinkman Photography

“I am just rapt,” said Monica. “To be second at a 5* is the stuff dreams are made of. Max (Artist) was a superstar all week. I am keeping it real – I am grateful to have had the lead I had and still be in the position I am.” The showjumping had been technical and while it hadn’t quite gone their way she was still very proud and happy of their efforts. “The crowd here has been amazing. He has so many fans. Everyone stops me and wants to talk about Max and how much they love him. It has been a great week. The guys here at Maryland have put on a fantastic show – everything was perfect and they take such good care of us.”

Monica has had the thoroughbred since he was four. “He is a very special boy and I believe in him. I do believe there is a 5* win in there, it is just a matter of when. We will keep showing up.” Her focus is firmly on the 2026 World Championships at Aachen and her schedule will be around what is best for Max in the lead-up to that.

Monica Spencer and Artist, 2nd MARS Maryland Five Star. Photo Credit Shannon Brinkman Photography

Tayla Mason and her homebred Centennial produced the round of their lives to go clear in the showjumping, adding 1.2 time penalties to finish on 51.8 for eighth. “I am just overwhelmed,” said Tayla, who crowd funded to make the trip from her UK base. “It took a village to get us here and I owe it to them. I hope we made them all proud today.” Her time at the event had been “amazing” and she hoped to return in the future. Mum Sonya was also ecstatic. “Centennial was born in my front paddock out of my mare and he has taken us around the world.”

Jonelle Price and her 5* debutant Chilli’s Midnight Star jumped a stunning clear in the showjumping – one of just four to come home clean and inside time – for a final score of 79.3 in ninth.“I am delighted,” said Jonelle. “He jumped a super round. I am pleased he came through the rigours of yesterday to come out and finish like this – it is just fantastic. I believe next year he can do something in all three phases.” The combination were in fourth after the dressage on 30.3, added jump and time in the cross country, but finished on a high, going clear showjumping.

The class was won by Felix Vogg (SUI) aboard Cartania who finished on 28.7 penalty points. They were the first Swiss combo to compete at Maryland. Boyd Martin (USA) and Commando 3 were third on 38.3. Yesterday’s cross country whittled the field to just 13 to progress through to today’s showjumping.

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By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison
Photos by Shannon Brinkman Photography
20th October 2025