Boyd Martin has just added an exciting new mount to his string: Shamwari 4. He put together a syndicate to purchase the horse that Swedish eventer Ludwig Svennerstal rode to 20th place at the 2012 London Olympic Games and team silver at the 2013 HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships (Sweden).
Martin, Cochransville, Pa., described the 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Star Regent xx—Donnice, Der Clou) as one of the best eventers in the world. “He earns great scores in dressage, he’s lightning fast on cross-country, and clean in the show jumping,” Martin said.
“What drew me to this horse is that he has already proven himself with Swedish rider Ludwig Svennerstal,” Martin added. “But with that comes a lot of pressure to ride Shamwari 4 and perform as well with him as Ludwig did.”
Watch Martin try Shamwari 4.
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“Shammie” will join other accomplished three- and four-star horses in Martin’s string such as Trading Aces, who represented the United States at the Boekelo CCIO*** (the Netherlands) last fall, as well as Martin’s 2012 Olympic mount Otis Barbotiere and 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (Ky.) veteran Neville Bardos.
“I’ve got a fantastic string of horses that I expect to do very well this upcoming year,” he said. “I’m super lucky to have been able to purchase Shamwari 4 and have the backing that I do from the owners of all of my horses.”
When asked about his plans for 2014, especially the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (France), Martin replied, “I plan just to come out blazing and give it my all.”
Martin is a Category A rider in the Federation Equéstré Internationale qualification system, so he is eligible to ride Shamwari at the CCI*** or CCI**** level. But, to be eligible for the U.S. team for the 2014 Alltech FEI WEG with Shamwari, the combination needs to complete a CCI*** together with no cross-country jumping penalties, or a CCI*** and a CIC*** with no jumping penalties, to get their Certificate of Capability for the FEI.
