Elkton, Md.—Oct. 18—Ian Stark’s final five-star cross-country course at the MARS Maryland 5 Star proved to be the ultimate test on Saturday as the field of 22 was whittled down to eight throughout the afternoon. Oliver Townend (GBR) and Ballaghmor Class (Courage II x Kilderry Place) sailed around adding just 4.8 time penalties to their score to slide into the lead on a score of 31.3.
Townend has been partnered with the now 17-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, who is owned by Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop, and Val Ryan, since 2014.
“He’s been phenomenal,” he shared. “I worked him this morning, and he spooked at a bin, wouldn’t go past the generator, and I thought, ‘Yeah, hopefully, it’s going to be a good day.’ His sharpness is his strength, and that’s why I’m lucky enough to have kept the ride on him. Only a couple of people have ever tried him, but they got off fairly rapidly. One fell off and one got off! I’m just very privileged. He is a special horse.”…