October 17, 2022 
Coup de Coeur Dudevin didn’t need any superstitious advantages to win his first CCI5*-L, just a good jockey.
Olympian Tim Price (NZL) is quite literally the very best. With the reigning world number one in the irons for the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill there was no breaking the 10-year-old Selle Français stallion’s stride.
After tackling Saturday’s Ian Stark’s cross country track with the bravery of a seasoned 5* horse, Coup De Coeur Dudevin approached Sunday’s Ken Krome show jumping track with the same confidence. They finished on a score of 28.2 ahead of Tamra Smith (USA) and 13-year-old gelding Danito in 29.8 points. Oliver Townend (GBR) and 11-year-old gelding As Is finished third with 29.9 points.
“I’m very proud of Coup De Coeur Dudevin. In fact, I think all three of these top horses are incredible. It’s exciting for the sport, it’s exciting for us personally, and it’s just so unexpected to have a top result like this,” said Price.
Perhaps what’s most special about this particular podium is that Coup De Coeur Dudevin wasn’t the only rookie. Price, Smith and Townend all entered horses that were green at the top level. The elation at the result, in part, is the realization that they have horses ready to step up to their top string.
“I came in hoping that I would have a top-five finish with this horse, but I expected there would be a couple of things that showed his lack of experience. Luckily, we were able to do that while keeping a nice, low score. I thought he did quite well,” said Price.
The young stallion exceeded even Price’s ambitious expectations in the show jumping phase, a demanding 16-element track set at 1.30m, adding only time faults to his dressage score.
“For my round, there was a lot of pressure. But you just stay focused on the job. To build up the rhythm before the start was the most important part of it. Then I just tried to give him a good ride and stick to the plan. If I had to execute Plan B, I had to do it quickly and do it well,” said Price.
“He’s got a really long stride, which was more evident today than in some of the other show jumping rounds I’ve had, but he really turned himself inside-out for me. He really impressed me, and I’m very excited about him.”
For Tamra Smith, second place was a silver lining of a tough year. Smith was also part of the silver medaling Team USA at the FEI Eventing World Championships in Pratoni, Italy in September. And like the the route out of the water complex, it was the result of a hard won uphill battle.
“It has not been the fairytale year that you might think. Long story short, California in my area was infected with EHV this winter. I got out of there right before that and went east, but then I promptly broke my ankle and tore all the ligaments in it,” said Smith
“I could just see my dreams kind of fading away. I didn’t think I’d be in contention for the World Championships, but I also wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
There was no runner-up disappointment for Smith, who was in good company both on and off of the podium.
“These guys are legends in the sport, and it’s an honor to be up here with them. The first three months of 2022 was a disaster for me. My horse had broken his wither on top of everything else, so to have the fall season that I’ve had from Pratoni on has been really special. I have a huge, wonderful support team, and I know that we’re all just ecstatic about this accomplishment,” said Smith.
Townend and his Spanish mount As Is have been partnered since 2019, and landed top ten in their first Bramham CCI4*-L in June. They achieved a personal best this weekend in Maryland, finishing on his dressage score.
“As Is was purchased earlier this year, and for us to deliver the result that we thought he was capable of is incredible. You never know with a new horse and a 5*, anything can happen,” said Townend, who is currently the third best eventer in the world.
“He went out a bit green yesterday, and I thought last night, Let’s just hope he’s as careful in the show jumping, and we’ll be alright. To know that I was on such a good jumper, it came down to me to press the right buttons and get the right distances. It’s just hugely exciting that we have a horse of this caliber.”
While As Is probably isn’t a push button pony, Townend found all the right cues to accomplish a clear round. After a week of diligently managing every stride, an emphatic fist pump after they crossed the timers finished out the weekend on a proper high note.
