Felix Vogg topped the Mars Maryland 5 Star results today (Sunday, 19 October), landing his second five-star title and becoming the first Swiss rider to take this US autumn classic.
Felix was second after cross-country on Phoenix Eventing S.À.R.L.’s Cartania and piloted her to a clear today, just one second over the 82sec time allowed, which let him move up above overnight leader Monica Spencer and Artist. The US-based New Zealander started with a fence in hand on her thoroughbred, which she used up at the upright over a water tray at six and when the narrow white vertical at eight also came down, she dropped to second.
“There was some pressure, but I know she can do it,” said Felix. “She tried so hard and if you need a strong woman in life, she’s there.”
Although the mare has always excelled across country, Felix admitted Cartania has not always been the easiest in the other phases. He said help from German showjumping coach Marcus Döring has made a difference in the final phase, as has seeing his girlfriend, Austrian rider Lea Siegl, ride the horse.
“But the biggest change was she had a little tooth problem during the season and I changed her to a hackamore for a bit at that time. She went really well with it so I tried that out at a show and since then, I’ve only jumped her in a hackamore,” he said.
Felix Vogg showjumps clear at Maryland 5 Star 2025 to win on Cartania.
(Image credit: Amy Dragoo)
The 14-year-old Cartania, by Cartani 4 out of a Clinton mare, has had three top-15 finishes at British five-stars, as well as eighth at the 2021 Europeans and 14th at the 2022 World Championships, although Felix said earlier this week they have since decided she is a better five-star than championship horse.
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The rider re-routed here after he suffered a paralysing arm injury in a fall from another horse at Saulieu the week before Burghley Horse Trials in September.
“I fell on the shoulder and some big stones in the water went into it and then the nerves were blocked,” he said at the European Championships last month. “I did four hours physio every day.”
When he had to re-route from Burghley, Felix thought Maryland would suit the mare better than an alternative five-star run at Pau Horse Trials next week – a decision which proved correct when he topped the Maryland 5 Star results today.
This was Felix’s Maryland 5 Star debut, although he has ridden at the CCI4*-S level at the venue when he was based in the US in 2019.
In a light-hearted moment at the final press conference, Felix said that he’d agreed with his groom that if he won, she was allowed to cut his hair
“I didn’t expect it to happen. We made a deal if I don’t win I’m allowed to cut her hair – I think she’s pretty lucky!” he said.
Maryland 5 Star results: Boyd Martin best of home side
There were four clears inside the time over Michel Vaillancourt’s 13-fence track.
US riders Boyd Martin (Yankee Creek Ranch LLC’s Commando 3) and Caroline Pamukcu on HSH Blake – owned by Mollie Hoff, his rider, her mother Sherrie Martin and her husband Deniz – each gained two places for third and fourth, courtesy of clears.
“I’m very relieved – it’s been a wonderful year for my team of horses and huge congrats to Fellix and Monica,” said Boyd.
“Felix lived with us in America for about a year and my wife was secretly in love with him. He’s a top fella and then obviously me and Monica are great mates, she’s my next door neighbour.
“I love to win, but it’s not so bad being third to these two champion riders. They are both fantastic people, great horsemen and horsewomen. I feel honoured to be here with them and it’s well deserved for them to be first and second.
“My horse Commando is just a champion – this year he’s finished second at Kentucky and now third at Maryland, as well as fifth at Aachen. He’s had a wonderful year and I think the best is yet to come with him – and I think next year I’d like to hopefully try to win one of these things.”
Yesterday was a day for thoroughbreds, but only one of those three thoroughbreds who went clear in the time yesterday could stay fault-free today. Australia’s Sophia Hill produced a clear on Humble Glory, to rise one spot to sixth on her dressage score, while the home side’s Mia Farley dropped out of the top three with four down and one second over the time on fellow thoroughbred Phelps, finishing seventh.
Jennie Brannigan was fourth overnight, but had the first down with FE Lifestyle, dropping from fourth to fifth.
Britain-based New Zealanders Tayla Mason (Centennial, eighth) and Jonelle Price (Chilli’s Morning Star, ninth) both jumped clear, with Tayla adding just 1.2 time-faults.
“I do believe this horse, perhaps next year, can really be something in all three phases and those horses are few and far between,” said Jonelle. “Thank you to Maryland – if wasn’t for the grants they made available we wouldn’t be here so thank you for having us.”
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Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.
