TAMIE SMITH TAKES THE RESERVE CHAMPION AWARD AT FAIR HILL, MARYLAND 5 STAR

Tamie Smith, West Coast Rider and Olympian, won the reserve champion ribbon with a final score of 29.8 at Fair Hill, Maryland, a popular riding course designed by Ian Stark. She was riding Danito, a 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding that is also popularly known as “Cheeto”. 

The course proved to be challenging for all riders competing in the event with its rolling terrain and demanding obstacles. Smith was able to navigate the course with no problem and pushed herself and her partner into second place with a double clear ride. 

On the final day, Smith was able to complete another round of competition beautifully which added only 0.4 time penalties and brought her final score to 29.8, only .1 points in front of the third-place finisher, Oliver Townsend. 

2022 was a challenging year for Smith who had to deal with a broken ankle that forced her to miss out on competing in Kentucky and Burghley. Smith was quoted as saying “I was watching my dreams fade away. But I wasn’t going to take no for an answer.”

Thankfully, her year turned around and she ended up becoming a silver medalist with Team USA at the Eventing World Championships in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy. This preceded her excellent performance at the Maryland 5 Star.