Little did Swiss rider Felix Vogg know when he spent a year in the USA living and training at Boyd and Silva Martins Windurra Farm in Cochranville, Pa., that he would return to the area someday to stand atop the winners podium at the 2025 Mars Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill. He captured the win in the fifth renewal of the worlds newest 5* aboard the 14-year-old Holsteiner mare Cartania (Cartani 4 Clinton) he owns with Phoenix Eventing over 21 other starters. Felix Vogg (SUI) and Cartania, winners of 2025 Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill CCI5*-L division. Photo by Allen MacMillanMonica Spencer (NZL), riding her own 14-year-old Thoroughbred Artist (Guillotine Volksraad), was second and the USAs Boyd Martin and Yankee Creek Ranchs 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding Commando 3 (Connor 48 Amigo xx) took third. Caroline Pamukcu riding HSH Blake and Jennie Brannigan on FE Lifestyle, both from the USA, were fourth and fifth, respectively. For a complete set of the results from the 2025 Mars Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, visit here.Monica Spencer (NZL) and Artist, second place in the 2025 Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill CCI5*-L division. Photo by Allen MacMillanIt was Voggs first time competing at the Maryland 5 Star and his second 5* win (he also won in Luhmhlen in 2022 aboard Colero). He is the first Swiss event rider to win twice at the level, the first Swiss competitor to win the Maryland 5 Star, and is only the second Swiss rider ever to win a 5* (Hans Schwarzenbach won Badminton in 1951 which was the top FEI level, but at the time was called a 4*). He joins these past Maryland 5 Star winners on the prestigious list: Boyd Martin (USA) with On Cue, 2021; Tim Price (NZL) and Coup de Coeur Dudevin, 2022; Austin OConner (IRE) on Colorado Blue, 2023, and Oliver Townend (GBR) aboard Ballaghmor Class, 2024. Vogg and Cartania were in the hunt to win the CCI5*-L division from their first pass down center line in the dressage arena on Friday. They laid down a beautiful test, scoring 28.3 which put them in third after dressage behind Spencer and Artist (23.7) and Pamukcu on HSH Blake (28.2). Then, on Saturday, Vogg and Cartania were one of only four pairs to complete new designer Pierre Le Goupils (FRA) cross-country course, jumping both clear and within the time. The other three horses achieving a double-clear run were Thoroughbreds (Spencers Artist who ranked first after cross-country, Mia Farleys (USA) Phelps who sat in third at the end of the day, and Sophia Hills (AUS) Humble Glory who finished the cross-country in seventh position). Of the 22 starters from six countries (Australia, Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand, Switzerland, USA), 13 completed cross-country for a finish rate of 59.09% over Le Goupils course. After all 13 of the 5* horses presented passed the final horse inspection Sunday morning, it was on to the show jumping phase. The competitors returned mostly in reverse order of finish from cross-country, with Pamucku jumping her horses out of order since she had two competing (HSH Tolan King in addition to Blake). Entering the arena next to last, Vogg and Cartania did what they had to do, jump clear and within the time over Michel Vaillancourts stadium course. When overnight leaders Spencer and Artist dropped two rails, the victory was Voggs. Martin and Commando 3 also left the rails up and confidently sailed around the course for double-clear to move up from fifth after cross-country to take third. Pamucku and Blake did the same, advancing from sixth to fourth.Vogg was able to make the trip to the Maryland 5 Star with support from a Maryland 5 Star International Riders Travel Grant. The Grant program assists elite riders from around the globe to travel to Maryland to compete. Many people invite me [to the U.S.] but costs are quite high. To be honest, without that grant, I wouldnt be sitting here, Vogg said. I am very thankful that people donated so that we can all come over.Quietly smiling after the win, he admitted that he had a bet with his groom that involved her cutting his hair if he won and him cutting her hair if he didnt. He was understandably elated on the victory, It is unbelievable; the horse was unbelievable. Of course, I wanted to win all week, many people wanted that. She was all week mentally so strong. One Degree of Separation from Boyd MartinSitting in the final 5* press conference, Martin shared that he, Vogg and Spencer had a connection to the area around Fair Hill. Martins farm is only half an hour from the showgrounds.Felix was sort of living with us in America for about a year. Hes a top fella, said Martin. Me and Monica are a great mates; shes my next-door neighbor. So, I love to win, but its not so bad being third to these two champion riders, who are both fantastic people. I feel honored to be here with them. Theyre well deserved to come first and second. My horse Commando, hes just a champion.Boyd Martin (USA) and Commando 3, third place in the 2025 Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill CCI5*-L division. Photo by Allen MacMillanImmediately after the press conference, Vogg hopped on a plane to travel to Pratoni, Italy, (the site of the 2022 FEI World Championships) to compete five horses in a horse trials there. And, Cartania was headed home for some well-deserved rest. Spencer has been based in the USA for a little less than two years. All week she had shown emotion about the connection with her long-time equine partner Artist, a.k.a. Max, Ive had him since he was four and hes just been a great horse for me. He has taken me all over the world. We come to these big events and Im just thankful to be here. He just tries so hard.Her plans for after the Maryland 5 Star included a much-deserved vacation for Max and a trip for her and her husband Andrew and son Gus to go on a vacation back to New Zealand for three weeks to visit family and friends. She hasnt been home since moving to the USA in February 2024. Martin jumped on a jet right after the Maryland 5 Star as well, flying to France to compete in the Pau 5* where he will compete Cooley Nutcracker, one of fellow eventer Liz Hallidays mounts that Martin took on during her rehabilitation from a traumatic brain injury. Elsewhere at the Maryland 5 StarMaryland native Isabelle Bosley, riding Karen Martins 8-year-old gelding Oldenburg gelding Conner (Consiro 3 Concetto), led the CCI3* division from start to finish, winning on a score of 24.8. From Monkton, Md., Bosley comes from an equestrian family with her parents training racehorses. She has also competed in timber racing.Isabelle Bosley (USA) and Conner, winners of the 2025 Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill CCI3* division. Photo by Kim MacMillanI couldnt be happier, she said, It means so much to have my family and friends here supporting me this weekend. Conner was incredible; hes such a good boy. Hes definitely not for sale. Second in the 3* was Alyssa Phillips, who also maintained that spot throughout the weekend, on her 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding Rockett 19. And, third from wire to wire was Olivia Dutton riding Jewelent, a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse her father competed before her.Alyssa Phillips (USA) and Rocket 19, second in the 2025 Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill CCI3* division. Photo by Kim MacMillanOlivia Dutton (USA) and Jewelent, third place in the 2025 Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill CCI3* division. Photo by Allen MacMillanIn the USEA Young Event Horse Championships, presented by Dubarry,the winner of the 5-Year-Old Class was Pine Top Penny Belline ridden by Kylie Cahoon. MBF Mirror Image ridden by Arielle Aharoni won the 4-Year-Old Young Event Horse Division. In the Maryland Corgi Cup, around 125 enthusiastic, short-legged dogs made a mad dash over several heats in the morning, then a whittled field raced a final time in the afternoon to determine the victor. First-time winner Cheese took home a trophy and gift basket from Corgi Cup producers Major League Eventing.Corgis race off the line during the finals of the 2025 Maryland Corgi Cup where Cheese was the victor. Photo by Allen MacMillanThe long weekend was full of other family fun, including a Kids Corner area with games, crafts, a petting zoo, and a Hall of Champions tent which housed successful event horses such as Jennie Brannigans Cambalda, two of Boyd Martins Olympic horses Otis Barbotiere and Black Foot Mystery, and Erin Sylvesters Paddy the Caddy. During the lunch break on Saturday, Shetland Pony races delighted spectators too. Also on Saturday the Maryland 5 Star hosted a beer, wine and spirits festival, and on Sunday a local food vendors showcase. Throughout, there was a nice variety of shopping and dining choices, as well as live music performances. The Real Rider Cup, a Thoroughbred retraining fundraiser, a dog adoption event, and the Mars Pet Experience chalet were also part of the fun. For more news and the dates of the 2026 Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill event, visit the Maryland 5 Star website.To watch replays of the action at the 2025 Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, go to FEI TV via ClipMyHorse (subscription required).This article about the 2025 Maryland 5 Star is a web exclusive for Horse Illustratedmagazine.Click here to subscribe!The post Vogg Is Victorious at 2025 Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.