Friday Report FEI Cross-Country – Photos by Tina Fitch
Cool temperatures and a little overnight rain set the stage for a galloping good time as international pairs tackled the cross-country phase of The Eventing Championships at Galway Downs.
CCI3* and CCI4* course designer Clayton Fredericks (AUS) enjoyed seeing many of his questions answered as he had intended. The Olympic eventer became Galway Downs’ course designer in 2020 with the intent of helping raise the standards to evolving international levels. Along with seeing successes today, he’s noticed that Galway Downs regulars are increasingly faring well when competing on the East Coast and in Europe. “They’re getting good results and I’d like to think it helps that they’re getting the hang of this style of cross-country.”
Fredericks’ style of cross-country requires riders to “ride the horse they have in the moment” at every point on the track. Competitors praised the routes and efforts as appropriate to each level, creative and educational – for Fredericks’ designs and for those at the lower FEI levels designed by Allesandra Allen-Shinn (USA).
CCI4*-L – Tamie Smith Leads
Freak occurrences arose for Tamie Smith with her two horses – the only two – in this level, but that didn’t dampen the international star’s enthusiasm for their performances.
“Unreal” is how Smith described Spiro P, who maintained the lead. Course highlights included a steep, bounce drop to an angled brush corner at 10ABC, and the imposing Rails/Ditch/Brick House at 24ABCD on a 40-effort track. None of it fazed the 9-year-old German Sport Horse. A missed rope resulted in 14.4 time penalties that elevated Spiro’s score in his CCI4*-L debut to a 45.8.
Stablemate Jump to Day D had his breast collar break on approach to the first element of 7ABC, contributing to a refusal that marred an otherwise ideal effort. “He was perfect after that,” Smith said. “The best thing was feeling how much stronger both horses are getting.”
“Clayton has really gotten the full feel of this place,” Smith said of Fredericks’ courses. “He’s an innovative course designer and it’s amazing how he creates challenges, including lots of terrain, on this basically flat piece of ground.”
Space limitations are a Galway Downs challenge that Smith sees as a positive. The Eventing Championships host everything from Starter to CCI4*-L, and that means there’s a lot of fences to look at in the field. “You might walk the course and think it’s not that difficult, but for the horse, it can be really easy to get distracted by something to the right or left, or off on the horizon.” The upside is that Smith has found it easier for horses to focus on more typical courses – back east and in Europe – where it’s more obvious what’s next and needs focus.
Show jumping awaits tomorrow in the Grand Prix Arena, with Smith virtually assured of winning her first CCI4*-L at her home competition venue.
CCI4*-S – Erin Kellerhouse and Ringwood Adios Amigo Take Lead
Erin Kellerhouse’s Ringwood Adios Amigo’s “likes to go!” and the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse did exactly that to jump up from 4th to 1st in the standings today. The Galway Downs-based professional was surprised to learn they were 16 seconds under the 6:51 optimum time after a mid-course slow down to “get things organized,” Kellerhouse explained.
They’re the only pair to finish on their dressage score – a 38.2 – and vaulted into the lead when two horses above them on the leaderboard had refusals.
Kellerhouse imported Amigo as a 4-year-old and it’s been a patient process bringing him along to this third run at the level. Show jumping is a strength, Kellerhouse shared – especially when it follows cross-country so that “he’s a little less wild and erratic.”
Kellerhouse and Amigo have 4+ rails to spare going into Saturday’s show jumping.
Kaylawna Smith-Cook maintained her 2nd position with Dealas, a 9-year-old Holsteiner, even with a refusal at 4C and 4.8 time faults.
Tamie Smith and Kynan had the lead after dressage, but another snafu – this time an inadvertent, approximately 30-second scenic detour – resulted in time penalties that pushed them to 3rd.. Stephanie Goodman and Elwenda DP had another uncharacteristic day, with a refusal at the C element of the first water complex. They’re now in 4th.
CCI3*-L – James Alliston and Made by Leontine EB Keep the Lead
After dressage judges yesterday made special mention of the 3* horses’ quality, this 17-horse contingent warranted that appraisal on today’s course. One horse had a refusal, and one activated a frangible fence, but the rest had only time faults.
James Aliston continues a remarkable run of fault free jumping with Arnell Sporthorses’ Made By Leontine EB. They had only an .8 time penalty to stay in the lead on a 26.7.
Amber Bitcil leapt into 2nd, from 7th, with Orpheus, a 7-year old Dutch Warmblood who had .4 time faults. “He has an amazing, giant gallop and it never really looks like he’s going that fast.” One of the “keepers” in her ever-present string of youngsters, Orpheus easily handled the step up to this level and to new pressure for pace. In past outings, Birtcil has emphasized rideability but today’s galloping stretches were perfect for testing the gas pedal. The horse’s biggest attribute, however, is “his heart,” said Birtcil.
Tamie Smith and Sumas Tina Turner kept their 3rd position, with the quick, handy mare adding 2.4 time faults to stand on a 29.8. Tina Turner’s stablemate, Solaguayre Cantata was the only horse to finish without time faults. The 8-year-old Argentine Sport Horse mare moved into 4th, from 10th, , and her 32.1 leaves the three horses above on the leaderboard without a rail to spare in show jumping.
CCI3*-S – Helen Alliston and Fary Prince Lead
Helen Alliston and Hulme Equestrian’s Fary Prince only added 2.8 time faults on cross-country. The 7-year-old British Sport horse has the luxury of two rails in hand going into tomorrow’s show jumping finale on a 29.6.
Kaylawna Smith-Cook and Piccadilly’s Pride M.E. keep their second standing, but crosssed the timers with 8.8 time faults for a 37.1 total. Stephanie Goodman and Diranca jumped into 3rd spot, with 8 time faults and a 41.7 score.
CCI2*-L – Amber Birtcil and Prince of Oolde
Prince of Oolde breezed to a double clear round for Amber Birtcil, keeping the lead on their 25 dressage score. “He’s honest, genuine, brave and fast,” the Northern California professional said of the 6-year-old Dutch Warmblood, owned by Cellar Farm Corp. “If you told me he’s a 12-year-old, I’d believe you!” Presented with lots of new elements in his first Long format, “Noodles” took everything in easy stride.
Seattle-based amateur and ICU nurse Brynn Josey and Gentle Gallucci were also double clear to stay second. They keep the heat on the leaders with their 25.6. Whatever their result in Saturday’s show jumping, Josey is thrilled with the 7-year-old Hanoverian gelding.
Josey had competed at 3* level in the past, then took a five-year break before returning to ride – with this horse — two years ago. They started at Novice, advanced steadily and targeted this fall’s Galway Downs for their 2* debut. “He has been the most incredible partner,” Josey said. “He’s so fun and so safe.”
Returning to eventing as an adult and working in the ICU stirred fears Josey never knew as a junior. But choosing the perfect partner for her return to the sport helps rein them in. A student of last year’s Galway Downs CCI4*-L champion Karen O’Neal, Josey is excited for Gentle Gallucci to show off his efficient, usually clear jumping style on Saturday.
Amber Bitcil’s busy day included riding Picasso to double clear and into the 3rd spot, up from 6th after dressage. The 6-year-old Dutch Warmblood is rising alongside his stablemate Prince of Oolde and poised to claim some limelight for himself.
CCI1*-L – Leah Forquer and Favorit Ask Lead
Leah Forquer and Favorit Ask, a 9-year-old Hanoverian, took over the lead with double clear cross country as this phase shook up the standings.
Kennedy Wicklund and BT Juste Capitaine moved into 2nd on the 26.4 dressage, followed by Nicole LeGrange and CES Excel Star Clovers Chip on a 26.6.
Intercollegiate and Interscholastic Challenges
Team standings in this special event for collegiate, high school and middle school eventers began to take shape today. In the Interscholastic Equestrian League (IEL) division, the Avon/Dragonfire team leads with dressage scores in the books. Squads affiliated with trainers Lauren LoPiccolo and Allyson Hartenburg stand 2nd and 3rd respectively, out of 10 teams in contention.
Eventers representing Sacramento State, Sierra College, Cal Poly SLO and LA Mission Community College lead the three-team collegiate standings so far.
The Team Challenges are a precursor to the USEA’s inaugural Western U.S. Championships for Intercollegiate and Interscholastic riders that will debut at Galway Downs Nov. 4-7 of 2027.
Saturday Events
International competition concludes with show jumping, as national and USEA Area VI Championships phases continue.
Thank you Sponsors
Presenting Sponsors: CWD, Devoucoux, Adequan
Silver Medal Sponsors: ProElite Horse Feeds, Nutrena Animal Feeds, Southern California Equestrian Sports
Bronze Medal Sponsors: Auburn Labs, Shires Equestrian, Majyk Equipe, LA Equestrian, Pyranha Animal Health, Scott Equipment, Klassen Bedding
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