Early entries are already coming in for the $200,000 US Equestrian Open Final - October’s Morven Park 4*-L. Catching our eye was Boyd Martin.

Why? Well, not “just” because he is one of the USA’s most successful eventers but also because he has a particular aptitude for four-star-longs; between 2008 and now, no one has tallied more wins at the level: 10. Australia’s Shane Rose matches him but no one beats him. Here’s the list:

And one of Boyd’s 4*-L wins was at Morven Park two years ago. A repeat effort this year would not only separate him from Shane on the win-count table, it would also earn Boyd a hefty portion of the $200,000 prize pot. I'm sure he wouldn't complain. 

When it comes to Morven Park, Boyd has venue familiarity going for him - he of course won the 4*-L but he’s also had nine total international runs at the venue dating back to 2014. Plus, as of now, he’s entered on three strong horses:

1. Shanroe Cooley (10 YO)

Liz Halliday’s mount Shanroe Cooley has only done one international with Boyd - a 3*-S which they won by adding just 3.6 XC time penalties to their dressage score. But, with Liz, Shanroe Cooley does have top-level experience. One of his best results was a 4th place finish at Tryon 4*-L (May 2024). 

Shanroe Cooley has jumped clear in 20 of his 21 international XC runs, including six clears at the 4* levels (long & short). And, of his 20 international SJ rounds, he’s only knocked 3 rails (spread over three different courses).

2. Miks Master C (13 YO)

Miks Master C & Liz Halliday. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Another of Liz Halliday’s string being piloted by Boyd, Miks Master C has more top-level experience than Shanroe Cooley and is a four-time winner at the CCI4*-S level. He won the highly competitive Carolina 4*-S back-to-back, finishing on a 20.9 (2023) and a 22.5 (2024).

In 2023, on his very first 5* run (Kentucky), Miks Master C placed third by adding just 1.6 XC time penalties to his dressage score, finishing on a 28.5. 

With Boyd, Miks Master C has only done one international: a 3*-S at Bromont. There, he and Boyd jumped clear in both the XC and SJ phases to finish 9th. It will be exciting to watch this pair at Morven and their EquiRatings win chance is likely to be high once all entries are in.

3. Barney Rubble (11 YO)

Unlike Shanroe Cooley and Miks Master C, Barney Rubble has gone up through the international levels with Boyd but is the least experienced of Boyd’s entries. He has done four 4* events. His first and only 4*-L was in Tryon this May where they got a 20 on cross country day but went on to add just 2.8 time penalties in the show jumping phase. Barney has been taken slow across the country on his previous 4* outings and I again think a confident, clean round will be Boyd’s aim for Barney at Morven.

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