New Zealand’s Monica Spencer and her 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, Artist, achieved a personal best international dressage score of 23.7 to lead the CCI5*-L competition at the 2025 MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill. Spencer, based in the U.S., has developed Artist from a former racehorse into a top-level eventing partner, helping New Zealand earn a team bronze at the 2022 FEI Eventing World Championships. Their strong partnership is marked by resilience across dressage, cross-country, and show jumping phases.

Close behind are Caroline Pamukcu of the USA and her 10-year-old gelding HSH Blake, who earned their best-ever CCI5*L score of 28.2 in their debut at this level, followed by Switzerland’s Felix Vogg and Cartania on 28.3. Both riders expressed joy and pride in their horses’ performances, highlighting the special bonds and mutual trust that have propelled their success on the international stage.