Kiwi Equestrian Monica Spencer Secures Second at Maryland 5*

New Zealand equestrian Monica Spencer and her horse Artist achieved a remarkable second-place finish at the prestigious Maryland 5 Star event in the United States, marking their best-ever result at this elite level. The competition took place on March 24, 2024, and is one of only seven 5* events globally, drawing top riders from around the world.

Impressive Performance Across Disciplines

Spencer’s performance was highlighted by outstanding scores in both the dressage and cross-country phases. She began with a personal best score of 23.7 penalty points in dressage, leading the competition after that phase. Spencer maintained her momentum in cross-country, adding no penalties to her score, which set her up for a strong finish.

However, the showjumping round proved to be challenging. Spencer incurred eight faults due to rails down at fences six and eight, resulting in a final score of 31.7 penalties. Despite the setbacks, this performance represents the highest score and placement for Spencer and Artist at the 5* level.

Expressing her joy, Spencer remarked, “I am just rapt. 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.” Spencer has partnered with the thoroughbred since he was four years old, stating, “…I do believe there is a 5* win in there, it is just a matter of when. We will keep showing up.”

Strong Showings from Fellow Kiwis

Spencer was not the only New Zealander to excel at the Maryland event. Tayla Mason and her homebred horse Centennial showcased a remarkable performance, finishing eighth with a total of 51.8 penalties. Mason completed a clear round in showjumping but added 1.2 time penalties. She expressed gratitude for the support she received to make the trip from her base in the UK, saying, “It took a village to get us here and I owe it to them. I hope we made them all proud today.”

Jonelle Price, making her 5* debut with Chilli’s Midnight Star, also delivered a commendable performance. The pair jumped clear in showjumping—one of only four combinations to do so—finishing in ninth place with a score of 79.3. Price had begun the competition strongly, sitting in fourth after dressage with a score of 30.3, but added penalties in the cross-country phase before ending on a high note.

The Maryland 5 Star event concluded with Felix Vogg from Switzerland taking the top spot aboard Cartania, finishing with a total of 28.7 penalty points. The event showcased the best of equestrian talent, with competitors striving for excellence in each discipline.

As Spencer and her fellow riders look ahead, their sights are set on the 2026 World Championships in Aachen, where they hope to further elevate New Zealand’s standing in the equestrian world.