Boyd Martin facts for kids
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Martin at the 2012 Summer Olympics
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Medal record
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Boyd Martin (born August 20, 1979) is an amazing horse rider. He was born in Australia but now competes for the American team. Boyd is famous in the sport of eventing, which is like a triathlon for horses and riders.
He has competed in four Summer Olympic Games. These were in 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024. Boyd has also won two team gold medals and one individual gold medal at the Pan American Games. He has also won two very big competitions called CCI5*-L events.
Contents
Boyd Martin's Early Life and Riding Journey
How His Parents Met
Boyd Martin's parents were both athletes. His mom, Toy Dorgan, was an American speed skater. His dad, Ross Martin, was an Australian cross-country skier. They met at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France.
Growing Up in Australia
Boyd and his sister, Brook, grew up in Terrey Hills, New South Wales. This is a town near Sydney, Australia. Boyd started riding horses when he was young. His first pony was named Willy, and they rode at the Forrest Hills Pony Club.
Becoming a Professional Rider
After high school, Boyd spent eight years at the Newcastle Equestrian Centre. He started as a student who worked to pay for his lessons. Later, he began his own horse riding business there. During this time, Boyd rode for Australia as a Young Rider. He won a major event called the 2003 Adelaide CCI4* with his horse, True Blue Toozac. He was considered for the Australian Olympic team in 2000, 2004, and 2008.
Moving to the United States
In 2006, Boyd traveled to the United States. He competed at the Rolex Kentucky CCI4* with his horse, Ying Yang Yo. A year later, Boyd and his wife, Silva, moved to the U.S. to compete more internationally.
For three years, Boyd worked as an assistant to another famous rider, Phillip Dutton. In 2010, Boyd and Silva started their own business called Windurra USA. They have a farm in Cochranville, Pennsylvania. In the winter, they train in Aiken, South Carolina.
Boyd Martin's International Success
Riding for the USA
In 2009, Boyd Martin began representing the United States in international competitions. One of his most famous horses was Neville Bardos. Boyd bought Neville for a small amount of money. Neville had been rescued from a racetrack by another trainer.
Overcoming Challenges
The year 2011 was very tough for Boyd. He experienced a barn fire and other personal difficulties. Despite these challenges, Boyd and Neville Bardos did incredibly well. They finished 7th at a big competition in England called the Burghley CCI4*. Neville Bardos was named the 2011 International Horse of the Year. Boyd was also named the 2011 Overall Rider of the Year by The Chronicle of the Horse. They even appeared on the front page of The New York Times.
Major Competitions and Olympic Games
Boyd has competed in many important events:
- He placed 10th at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky, with Neville Bardos.
- He was 7th at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France, riding Shamwari 4.
- Boyd was part of the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team in London in 2012. He rode Otis Barbotiere there.
- In 2015, he placed 4th individually at the Pan American Games in Toronto. He also won a team gold medal with Pancho Villa.
- The next year, Boyd competed in his second Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He rode Blackfoot Mystery and finished 16th individually.
- In 2021, Boyd won the Maryland 5 Star CCI5*-L with his horse On Cue. He also finished 4th with On Cue at the 2021 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Eventing CCI5*-L.
- He competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (held in 2021) with Tsetserleg TSF.
- In 2022, Boyd and Tsetserleg TSF helped the U.S. Eventing Team win a silver medal at the FEI Eventing World Championships in Italy. This win also helped the team qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games.
Outside of riding, Boyd enjoys watching boxing, MMA, and hockey.
Images for kids
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Boyd Martin competing at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
See also
In Spanish: Boyd Martin para niños
