The Real Rider Cup’s Maryland 5 Star Event Raises Over $130000

[Wandering Eyes]

The 2025 edition of The Real Rider Cup held at the MARS Maryland 5 Star event at Fair Hill raised over $130,000, according to an organization release Wednesday.

Honors were given for the top three individual and team entries, as well as to the rider with the highest-grossing fundraiser. Team SMACC Down retained its winning team result from 2024, anchored by the repeat individual champion Gabby Nguyen and Pet Me Pet Me. Team Pastured Place Two (the growing aftercare organization fielded 10 riders for this year's competition) took second place and Team Poplar Place Stables/Stirrup Some Fun took third. Kayleen Kollasch and American Cougar and Sandi Norris and Nakamura took home the second and third-placed individual results, respectively.    Returning rider Michelle Hurley achieved the honor of the highest grossing fundraiser by raising $15,925, which also gained her entry to a small club of riders who have each raised over $20,000 over their years of RRC participation.

The entry list included stakes horses Flash McCaul, Ninety One Assault, Nakamura, Call Provision, Target Sighted and Talk Or Listen (IRE). Connections represented by entries included PTK LLC, Pope McLean, Jonathan Sheppard, Graham Motion, Chad Brown, Klaravich Stables, Country Life Farm, Dixiana Farms, Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey, Harris Farms, Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, West Point Thoroughbreds, and more. WBAL Radio Baltimore's Scott Wykoff and renowned equestrian commentator Charlotte Skinner-Robson jointly covered emcee duties, providing lively color commentary while a cadre of Thoroughbred-loving celebrity team captains offered their expert guidance during the group course walk: Phillip and Olivia Dutton, Buck Davidson, Alex Conrad, Lynn Symansky, and respective 3 Star (CCI3*-L) and 5 Star (CCI5*-L) leaders following cross country, Isabelle Bosley and Monica Spencer.

Full results and are available at www.therealridercup.com with updates about 2026 events to come.

Proceeds of the Real Rider Cup benefit the Retired Racehorse Project, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program and Beyond the Wire.

 

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