October 19, 2025: Felix Vogg (SUI) and his 14-year-old mare, Cartania, claimed top honors in the CCI5*-L at the 2025 MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory, sealing the victory with a polished show jumping round on Sunday to finish on a final score of 28.7.
2025 CCI-5*-L Maryland 5 Star Champion Felix Vogg and Cartania jumping on their winning show jumping round Sunday October 19.
With this win, Vogg makes history once again. Following his 2022 triumph at Luhmühlen aboard Colero, Vogg became the first and only Swiss rider to win a five-star since Hans Schwarzenbach’s Badminton victory in 1951. Now, he becomes the only Swiss rider ever to capture two five-star titles.
Vogg and Cartania’s partnership spans more than seven years, beginning with their first international start together at Plantation Field in the fall of 2018, when the mare was just seven years old. Since then, the pair have competed across the globe, including in the United States, England, France, Poland, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Italy and secured a top-15 finish at the 2022 World Championships. Seven years and 40 international starts later, their consistency and trust have culminated in a career-defining victory at the sport’s highest level.
Monica Spencer (NZL) and her 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, Artist, placed second finishing with a score of 31.7. Four-time U.S. Olympic veteran, Boyd Martin (USA) and Commando 3 came in third with a score of 38.3, while Caroline Pamukcu (USA) took fourth on HSH Blake with a score of 39.4.
Top 3 finishers of 2025 Maryland 5 Star CCI5*-L, left to right: Boyd Martin (USA), Champion Felix Vogg (SUI), Monica Spencer (NZL)
“It is unbelievable, and the horse was unbelievable,” Vogg said. “Of course, I wanted to win all week, many people wanted that. She was all week mentally so strong.”
Vogg’s participation in this year’s event was made possible in part by support from the Maryland 5 Star International Riders Travel Grant Program, which assists in bringing elite horses and riders from around the world to Maryland. The program plays a key role in attracting international-caliber competition to the MARS Maryland 5 Star while providing invaluable opportunities for American riders to compete against the sport’s best.
“Many people invite me (to the U.S.) but costs are quite high and to be honest, without that grant, I wouldn’t be sitting here,” Vogg said. “I am very thankful that people donated and put money together so that we can all come over.”
The Maryland International Equestrian Foundation’s 2025 International Travel Grant supports bringing elite international riders to the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, strengthening U.S. equestrian sport and offering donors unique engagement opportunities while promoting the growth of Maryland’s horse industry. Find out more about the grant here
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