“It’s an incredible feeling to win here,” said Martin. “This event has been so well organized, and Morven Park is one of the best venues in the world. For years, we’ve all seen the potential here. Morven Park has beautiful cross-country tracks, great rings, and a world-class facility. The US Equestrian Open has brought in amazing prize money and attracted the country’s best horses and riders and to win this inaugural event is a huge honor.”

Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) and the Miks Master C, a 2012 U.S.-bred Swedish Warmblood gelding (Mighty Magic x Qui Luma CBF), owned by Ocala Horse Properties, LLC., Deborah Palmer, and Rachael Isaacson, and cared for by Stephanie Simpson, completed the weekend on a final  combined score of 28.7 after producing a clear round int the main arena secure their win and take home the lion’s share of the $200,000 prize pot. Both Martin and Miks Master C’s names will now be added to the perpetual US Equestrian Open trophy, marking their place in history as the US Equestrian Open Eventing Final’s first-ever champions. Additionally, Martin was also awarded the MARS American Bred Talent Trophy which was award to the top-finishing U.S.-bred horse in the competition in the CCI4*-L division.

Miks Master C is a newer mount for Martin, having previously been campaigned by fellow U.S. Eventing Team athlete Liz Halliday before joining Martin’s program just over a year ago. The partnership has now found its rhythm at the top levels of the sport, with Martin noting this victory holds special significance for him, personally, his team, and the supportive team behind Miks Master C. Martin reflected on the journey of taking over the ride following Halliday’s accident in 2024, and the growing partnership he’s developed with the talented gelding.

“I’m so grateful to the owners for trusting me with one of Liz’s top horses. Miks Master C is a legend. He was Liz’s top hopeful, and this whole year we’ve just been getting to know each other. He’s an incredible horse with the right mix of power, grit, and heart.”

Martin shared that though he was still getting to know “Mikki” this year, he has always admired him. “When Liz first bought him, I was extremely jealous,” he said with a laugh. “Mikki is totally my type of horse. He has a lot of Thoroughbred in him. He’s one of those horses that moves like a Warmblood, but thinks like Thoroughbred – a true three-day eventer with an amazing gallop.”

After a thrilling cross-country phase yesterday, which featured a traditionally challenging and technical Derek di Grazia (USA)-designed track, Will Coleman (Ocala, Fla.) and his veteran partner Off The Record entered Sunday’s jumping phase as the overnight leaders on their impressive dressage score of 25.1 However, one rail at B of the triple combination ultimately opened the door for Martin and Miks Master C to move to the top of the leaderboard.

Coleman’s strategic and polished riding across all three phases secured both second and third place aboard Off The Record, a 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding (VDL Arkansas x Drumagoland Bay), owned by Off The Record Syndicate, and cared for by Erin Jarboe, and  Very Dignified, a 2015 Irish Sport Horse mare (Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet x Kateys Gem), owned by Jerome Broussard, Elizabeth Lendrum, and Gloria Callen, also cared for by Jarboe, respectively. Coleman piloted both horses to just two of the three clear rounds yesterday around the CCI4*-L track, keeping both horses competitively inline on the leaderboard. Ultimately, Off The Record would finish on a final three-phase score of 29.1, while Very Dignified, earned a 35.4, in the pair’s CCI4*-L debut together.

For the Virginia-native Coleman, the introduction of the US Equestrian Open concept to the already historic importance of the Morven Park venue in the region’s deep traditional connection to horses and horse sport, allowed the competitive atmosphere to be elevated while also offering the opportunity to showcase the sport at its best.

“It’s an awesome cross-country course on one of the best eventing-specific venues in the U.S.,” said Coleman. “Anyone who is curious about eventing or wants to see what eventing all is about; they got such an awesome taste of that here at Morven Park this weekend.”

Both riders commended course designer Chris Barnard’s (USA) track on the final day for its technical demands and tight time allowed, which kept the pressure of the moment palpable to the very last ride of the class.

“The course was good and very technical,” Martin noted. “You had to ride it almost like a jump-off. It rewarded forward, efficient riding and showed how beneficial it is to practice pure show jumping on the side.”

When asked about the future of the US Equestrian Open Eventing  Final and Series, and what the athletes hope to see as it continues to evolve and grow, Coleman shared his optimistic outlook.

“This is just the beginning,” he said. “What US Equestrian has built with this series is something that’s going to continue to grow, build more momentum, attract bigger crowds, and more prize money, which is really exciting for us as athletes, for our owners, and for our teams.”

View full US Equestrian Open Eventing Final results here.

— Edited Press Release

The post Boyd Martin Makes History as First-Ever US Equestrian Open Eventing Final CCI4*-L Champion Aboard Miks Master C appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class (GBR)

Olliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class of Great Britain lead on a score of 23.60 after a clean cross-country round.

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg (USA)

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg, aka Thomas, are in 14th after cross-country with a total score of 34.30 after 3.2 time faults.

Phillip Dutton and Z (USA)

Phillip Dutton and Z are in 17th, right behind Boyd Martin, with a score of 35.30 after 4.80 time faults on cross-country.

Doug Payne and Vandiver (USA)

Doug Payne and Vandiver finished the second phase of eventing with 6.80 time faults on the cross-country course to stand on 39.80 going in to show jumping.

Stay tuned for our continued coverage from the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 with a full report on cross-country from equestrian journalist Kim MacMillan, and the wrap-up of eventing with the final round of showjumping to see how Phillip Dutton, Boyd Martin, and Doug Payne finish individually and for the team final.

Complete Tokyo Olympics Coverage

The post HI Tokyo Olympics Daily Update: Team USA Moves Up After Eventing Cross-Country Phase appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event is actually a four-day event due to the number of world-class competitors. The first two days, Thursday and Friday, involve the dressage phase. This video showcases Boyd Martin and Shamwari 4 during the 2016 event during their dressage phase.

Boyd Martin has represented the U.S. at two Olympic Games, three FEI World Equestrian Games and two Pan-American Games. Since leaving his native Australia in 2007, he has consistently been in the top 10 world rankings and has been on every U.S. championship team since changing his citizenship in 2010. He is a fan favorite every year at the Kentucky Three-Day Event.

Shamwari 4 is a 2003 dark bay Hanoverian gelding. Boyd Martin and Shammie were the top-placed U.S. horse-and-rider combination in eventing at the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games. Shamwari is one of the few horses named to the USEF High Performance “World Class” list.

The post Honoring the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event’s History, Horses, and Riders appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.