In 2010, Ellen Ahearn and her husband Eric Markell purchased a black 4-year-old eventing prospect at an auction in Munich, Germany. The German Sport Horse gelding was intended to be a mount for their then 15-year-old daughter, Alex Ahearn, who had upper level goals. Little did they know at the time that the horse's innate athleticism and joie de vivre would eventually propel Mai Baum to the world stage.

Working with first Michele Pestl and later, Tamie Smith, Alex produced "Lexus" to what was then the 2* level. But eventually, she decided it was time to go to college, and offered her horse to Smith.

"Alex told Tamie, 'He has so much to offer, it's beyond me. I want to see what he can do for the US eventing team," says Ellen. "I wasn't even aware she was thinking of doing this."

But Smith was worried Alex would regret her decision, so the three women came to an agreement: Smith would compete Lexus at a few jumper shows, and if Alex still felt good about someone else riding her horse, Smith would begin competing him in events. That was in 2014-Alex was thrilled, a match was made, and in 2015, Smith and Mai Baum began to make history, winning five international events together, including the Dutta Corp/USEF CCI4*-L Eventing National Championship at Fair Hill, and earning US Eventing Association Horse of the Year.

In 30 international starts, Lexus and Smith have topped the leaderboard 13 times. They have represented the USA at the 2019 Pan Am Games in Lima, Peru, the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, and the 2022 World Championships in Pratoni, Italy. In 2023, after winning the Galway Downs International Spring CCI4*-S in California, Lexus and Smith headed east to tackle the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L, presented by MARS Equestrian, their third career appearance there.

Ellen and Eric were on hand in Kentucky to cheer when Lexus landed in third place after scoring a 24.2 in dressage. But Ellen knew anything could happen out on cross-country.

"Tamie is such a positive person, she headed there thinking, 'I know we can win,'" says Ellen. "I don't ever think about it in those terms-I just hope he does well, that he comes home sound, and that Tamie is safe. Those are really the most important things for me."

But the next day, Smith and Lexus became one of just six pairs to finish double clear on cross-country, moving them into first place. After his run, Ellen found Alex an overnight flight from Los Angeles, saying, "I think he really has the chance to win this this weekend."

Ellen admits waiting for Lexus's turn in the main ring on show jumping day was "nerve-wracking." The 5* competitors don't jump until the end of the day, and as the leaders, Lexus and Smith would compete last. When the two competitors before them each jumped clean, the pressure intensified-- only a clear round would secure the win.

"I find I don't look any more," says Ellen with a laugh. "I close my eyes, and listen for the clicks of the rails. But it was a beautiful round."

Smith and Lexus jumped clear, securing the Land Rover/USEF CCI5* Eventing National Championship presented by MARS Equestrian-the first American to do so since 2008, and the first woman since 2011.

"Of course we were happy for ourselves and for Tamie, because she works so hard," says Ellen. "But the fact they were able to bring back the win for the US was just amazing. Tamie and I will sometimes call each other and say, 'I just watched that cross-country, or that show jumping round, again'-- we cry every time."

In June, Lexus and Smith headed to the CCIO4*-S at the Aachen World Equestrian Festival in Germany, where they earned team silver and finished third individually, the highest-placed American combination.

In recognition of their 2023 success, Smith and Lexus were named by the Chronicle of the Horse as their 2023 Person and Horse of the Year, respectively, and were recognized by the US Equestrian Federation as a 2023 International Person and Horse of Honor.

Now 17, Lexus is in "the best shape of his life", and his team is cautiously looking forward to the possibility of an appearance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, although his soundness and well-being remain their highest priority. In the meantime, he will continue to be spoiled at home-- his favorite treats are pears and Kashi shredded wheat, and he hates to share-- and to pose for photos with his many fans.

"He loves to have his picture taken," says Ellen. "He thinks he's pretty special-and we agree."