Boyd Martin and On Cue Take Inaugural Maryland 5 Star Title, Bring U.S. First 5* Win Since 2008

Boyd Martin won his first then-4* event in 2003, when he was still living in Australia. It was his very first start at the level at the green age of 24, and he took home the title in the Australian 5* with True Blue Toozac. In the intervening 18 years, he started a total of 42 times at the 5* level, sometimes coming tantalizing close to the top of the podium but never quite managing to catch it — until today.

It came down to the final wire, and Boyd entered the main grandstand as the third last to jump today at the Maryland 5 Star with Christine Turner’s On Cue. They needed a clear round to maintain pressure on top-ranked Oliver Townend and Cooley Master Class as well as Tim Price and Xavier Faer. And deliver they did, producing a double clear effort despite a couple of rubs — On Cue putting in her absolute best effort after the grueling endurance effort of yesterday — to finish their second 5* together on a score of 25.0. After both Tim and Oliver each had one pole down, the gasps echoed through the grandstands and in the warm-up, where Boyd waited with his team, the screams, shouts, crying, and hugs began — and the U.S. collected its first 5* winner since 2008 (Phillip Dutton and Connaught won Kentucky in 2008).

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Article written by: Sally Spickard