With The Fork presented by Lucky Clays Farm right around the corner, we caught up with the incredible Boyd Martin. Be sure to come and watch Martin, and many other amazing athletes contest their abilities on April 4th-7th at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC)!

What are you looking forward to competing at the Fork this year?

Last time I was there, it was for the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018. It was one of the best events I’ve experienced here in the United States. The Tryon International Equestrian Center is a world class facility, and I’m sure the cross country course will be similar to the WEG course. It was brilliant to ride, although I did have a bit of misfortune, so I’m eager to get back on the course. I’m crossing my fingers that the same jump I had trouble with is there for my horse, Tsetserleg, and I to take another crack at!

How do you and your horses like TIEC?

It’s such a horse friendly place. The cross country course provides some of the best footing for our horses that most could only dream of. I’m not bringing a large number of horses as I’m trying to focus on my top upper-level horses. It’s a great place for the owners to come hang out, get the VIP treatment, and the facility is made for watching their horses. This will also likely be our last lead-up event for the Land Rover Kentucky Three Day Event, so it’s a really great way to look at some of the horses and riders who are going to contest that event.

What have you been up to this winter? How do you prepare for a competition like this?

We’ve been in Aiken, South Carolina, this winter and have worked on slowly building up the horses. We’ve done a couple of local events to get the horses out and about, but The Fork will be their first premiere event. The course is definitely going to be the most testing we’ve seen this year. 

Do you have the 2019 Pan American Games on the horizon?

Yes, I have a great group of horses at the moment and they all have their own goals and plans for this season. Some will go to Kentucky, some Jersey, and some Bromont. I have a couple in the mix for the PanAm Games, and the Olympic Games are slowly coming up, too, so we’re trying to set up a number of horses to be of contenders for that.

What is your favorite phase of Eventing?

My favorite phase of Eventing is eating sushi on Saturday night at TIEC’s Blue Ginger restaurant!

Thanks for chatting with us and good luck at The Fork!