The 50th anniversary of the Morven Park International & Fall H.T. on October 15 brought the who’s who of the equestrian world to Leesburg in Virginia. Among them was a 44-year-old athlete who had represented the U.S. in three Olympic Games. He was in Virginia this last weekend to try his luck in the Morven Park International CCI4*-L. He was eager to test out his new gelding “Commando 3” that he had acquired last year.

Boyd Martin, son of Olympic cross-country skier Ross Martin and Olympic speed skater Toy Martin, entered the stakes in Virginia to make his presence felt in the equestrian world. In horse racing, youth trumps experience, as many breakout performances over the years have come from young horses. But Commando 3 is a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding from Yankee Creek Ranch LLC. So, the question on everyone’s mind is, why did Boyd Martin choose her for such an important race?

Equestrian hero’s strategic move

Boyd Martin had developed an eye for equine talent very early in his life. Therefore, when he first saw Commando 3, he recognized its potential right away. Last year, he was on a shopping trip and found what he was looking for in fellow Swedish Olympian Louise Romeike’s yard. Speaking to Sally Spickard of Evening Nation, he said, “I mean, the first time I saw this horse as soon as they pulled him out of the stall that just had this championship look…He just oozed with class… give me 12 months, and I think the sky’s the limit with him”. And true to his promise, the immensely talented equestrian had delivered on his promise. But it was not without its challenges.

One of the biggest challenges before Boyd Martin was forming a relationship with Commando 3. A gelding this advanced in age often rejects a new master. Therefore, when racing at an important event, jockeys often choose a horse they have worked with from their initial training days. But all these axioms were proven wrong by Boyd Martin and his partner, who took the win with the final score of 29.4. Now, the gelding has an even uphill battle ahead of it where the horse will need to contend against greater champions.

Commando 3 to fight for its place

Boyd Martin is on the cusp of choosing his next contender for the 2024 Paris Olympics. With just nine months left for the biggest equestrian event of the upcoming season, Martin has to decide soon. To accompany the No.3 rider of the world, his stable has a fleet of five-star horses up for consideration. But in the legendary rider’s own words, Commando 3 is “unbelievably elegant on the flat, he gallops like a racehorse cross country, he’s sharp and careful and scopey for the show jumping, and he trots up good. It’s very hard to find all those characteristics in a horse — it’s a needle in a haystack, so I’m just really feel a privilege to ride him”.

Read More: Three American Equestrian Stars Shine in Cross-Country, Secure Top Spots Ahead of the Next Challenge

For the final nod, Commando 3 will need to keep up his winning streak. He will also need to steal the limelight from the other five-star horses in Boyd Martin’s roster. After yesterday’s successful run, the equestrian champion believes he has a good chance of winning his approval.

Watch The Story: Equestrian Creates a Historic Feat With Her Win at The Caldwell Night Rodeo