Cross-country took center stage on Saturday at The Event at TerraNova (Myakka City, FL), as FEI competitors tackled the venue’s expansive tracks and tested their horses’ bravery, stamina, and athleticism.
Alec Lochore’s three- and four-star courses affected the leaderboard across several divisions. While some horse-and-rider combinations climbed significantly in the standings, two held onto their dressage leads heading into Sunday’s final phase.
In the B&D Builders CCI4*-L, Alyssa Phillips and Rockett 19 extended their lead with one of only two double-clear cross-country rounds, staying atop the leaderboard with their impressive dressage score of 23.3.
Meg Pellegrini and Falcon Crown Z also delivered a double-clear round to take sole possession of the lead in The Estates at TerraNova/Laughlin Tanner Group CCI3*-L on a score of 26.8.
Meanwhile, the Leibold Irrigation CCI4*-S concluded today with Alexa Thompson and Api du Libaire reclaiming the lead they held after dressage. The pair slipped to second overnight after incurring four jumping faults and 2.8 time penalties in Friday’s show jumping. However, they delivered the division’s fastest cross-country round, jumping clear and adding just 6.4 time penalties to secure the victory on a final score of 40.7.
Sunday marks the final day of competition at The Event at TerraNova. Long-format FEI competitors will return for the final horse inspection before tackling the concluding show jumping phase, while national-level competitors will wrap up their weekend with cross-country.
With just 1.5 points separating the top three on the CCI3*-L leaderboard, and Phillips holding a 7.4-point advantage in the CCI4*-L, tomorrow’s show jumping promises an exciting conclusion to four days of international competition at TerraNova Equestrian Center.
Show jumping begins at 10:00 am EST with the CCI3*-L. You can watch for free on the TerraNova YouTube channel here.
[Subject to change – Current schedule can be found here]
- 10:00 am ET: CCI3*-L
- 11:40 am ET: CCI4*-L
- 12:10 am ET: CCI4*-S
- 1:15 pm ET: CCI2*-L
- 2:50 pm ET: CCI1*-L
The Event at TerraNova (FL): [Website] [Entries/Times] [Scores] [CrossCountry App XC Maps] [Empty Bowls Tickets] [Volunteer] [Free Live Stream]
Alexa Thompson and Api du Libaire Turn a Remarkable Comeback Into Victory in the Leibold Irrigation CCI4*-S
Alexa Thompson and Api du Libaire. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Alexa Thompson and Api du Libaire claimed the Leibold Irrigation CCI4*-S at The Event at TerraNova after being the only competitor making the optimum time over Alec Lochore’s challenging track.
Thompson’s victory also propelled her to the top of the 2026–2027 US Equestrian Open of Eventing series standings with 55 points.
The Event at TerraNova served as the third of 22 scheduled qualifiers in the series, which awards points to riders based on their placings in designated CCI4*-S competitions throughout the season. Each rider’s six best results count toward the overall standings.
Having earned 15 points with Api du Libaire at Bouckaert Farm in October, Thompson added another 40 points with her Leibold Irrigation CCI4*-S win. The series culminates in the US Equestrian Open of Eventing Final at Morven Park in Leesburg, Virginia, in October 2027.
But this CCI4*-S victory was particularly meaningful for Thompson, as there was a time when she wasn’t sure Api du Libaire would ever return to competition.
Thompson acquired Api two years ago from her mentor, trainer and close friend, French international event rider Maxime Livio, who had campaigned the horse through the four-star long level.
However, just two months into their new partnership, an unexpected trailer accident left Api with a serious injury and an uncertain future.
“He had a trailer accident that we thought he was never going to come back from,” Thompson says. “Everything that he’s done since has been a blessing and a surprise. He jumped for the first time since his injury a year ago this month, so even having him here was a huge treat. I feel really fortunate he came back from it like he has.”
The pair made their competition debut together at Preliminary level at Rocking Horse in March of this year before progressing through the three-star level. With each successful outing, Thompson became more comfortable with Api.
“Every time we went out, things felt like they were clicking and we were getting along well, so we got to do more,” Thompson says. “We did the three-star long at Tryon, and he was really good there. I called Max afterward, and he said that it was time to give it a go at the four-star level.”
Although Api already had extensive experience at the upper levels, Thompson has spent much of the season adapting her riding style to suit him. That work paid off in Friday’s dressage phase, when the pair earned a 27.5 to take the early lead.
“Api is very much his own person,” Thompson says. “I’ve been trying to learn him, and we haven’t been together in terms of competing for very long. Our dressage at every level has slowly gotten better. At the beginning of the partnership, I was trying to figure out what to do, when, and how. It’s like flying a really nice aircraft that I don’t know what buttons to push.”
Making this weekend even more special, Livio flew in from France to help Thompson prepare for the competition. Having Api’s former rider on the ground proved invaluable.
“Dressage for Api with Max is something that comes quite easily. Max did a really good job with him and had a great record with him,” Thompson says. “For me, it’s been scoring in the mid-30s the first time out at each level and then a little better the next time, so scoring the 27 here was really exciting. Max knows Api inside and out and was able to help me put the pieces together.”
Maxime Livio (FRA) and Api du Libaire compete at the 2022 FEI Eventing World Championships in Pratoni, Italy. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
But Friday afternoon’s show jumping presented a different set of challenges. Api’s large stride required Thompson to carefully regulate his step through the related distances, making it difficult to maintain an efficient pace. One rail down on the outside line and 2.8 time penalties brought their score to 34.3, dropping them into second behind Tim Bourke and DHI Kevin G.
“He’s such a big horse, and he’s very different from any horse that I’ve ever ridden. I knew that I was going to have to really adapt my natural tendencies and style of riding,” Thompson says. “We were a little slow, and I made a goofy choice jumping down the outside line and had one rail down—it was very much my rail. But he was really good and tried really hard, and I learned from it, which is all I can ask for.”
On Saturday’s cross-country, Thompson focused on keeping her approach simple and trusting the instincts she developed during her early years of riding.
“I’m the kind of person that if I can overthink something, I will happily do it,” Thompson says. “I grew up riding in my backyard, so if I can keep things really simple and ride off of my instinct, it normally works better than if I think too hard about it. Having Max here again was really helpful because he reinforced what I already knew about Api and made me trust my gut and my instincts.”
That trust proved vital at one of the course’s questions before the final water complex, where Api’s experience helped the pair navigate a less-than-perfect approach.
“There were moments on cross country that maybe weren’t the most beautiful, and I think I almost fell off before the last water,” Thompson says. “We jumped the mound to a big table, and I didn’t really make any decision. Api, the legend that he is, really took care of us both there. Even though some things weren’t 100% perfect, it confirmed our partnership and made me trust him more. It makes me really excited for the future.”
Having first competed at TerraNova two years ago, Thompson was delighted to celebrate such a meaningful milestone victory at a venue she has come to love.
Rory Frangos and DHI Rocketman. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
“The venue is unbelievable, and the effort that everybody puts into it is truly exceptional,” Thompson says. “You see people taking care of the grounds all the time. Anything you could dream of, they have here. It’s really comfortable for the horses, and for being such a beautiful and elaborate venue, it actually feels really homey, too. The horses are really relaxed here. It’s also great for people to come, watch the sport, and enjoy it. This is what we wish every event could be like.”
Rory Frangos and DHI Rocketman climbed significantly from ninth place after show jumping to finish second on 51.6.
Emily Mastervich and Posh Quality moved up the leaderboard from sixth to third, finishing on 54.4.
Alyssa Phillips and Rockett 19 Extend Their Lead in the B&D Builders CCI4*-L
Alyssa Phillips and Rockett 19. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Alyssa Phillips and Rockett 19 extended their lead in the B&D Builders CCI4*-L today with one of only two double-clear cross-country rounds. The pair completed Alec Lochore’s track in 9:57 to keep their dressage score at 23.3, giving them a 7.4-point advantage heading into Sunday’s final phase.
Today’s cross-country performance was a significant milestone in Phillips’ partnership with Rockett 19. Throughout this first season competing at the four-star level, Phillips has focused on developing the talented horse’s confidence and strength. Their cross-country round today marked the first time the pair made the optimum time at the level.
Her goal was to put everything they had worked on throughout the season into practice.
“I really tried to lean on all the training that we’ve done and just try to have a really fluid, smooth round and save all the seconds that I can,” Phillips says. “He was fantastic, and he felt full of run. He accelerated when I asked him to and came back when I asked him to. I’m really thrilled with him, and it’s the first time he’s made the time at the level.”
Nearly every combination on the course rode as Phillips had hoped after waking the course. The one exception came at the brush table on the mound, leading to two skinnies just before entering the arena, where Phillips adjusted her plan after getting a different distance than anticipated.
“I got a little bit of a deep distance in there, and so I just ended up waiting and doing four strides instead, and it worked out well,” Phillips says. “Everything else rode according to plan.”
Alyssa Phillips and Rockett 19. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Rockett’s growing confidence at the level has also helped Phillips develop a more efficient rhythm and jump on cross-country.
“He’s a very good jumper, but he has a tendency to overjump the cross-country jumps,” Phillips says. “Now, since he’s a little bit more established at the level, he’s getting more comfortable, so he’s not skyrocketing over all of them, which is nice. That’s why I try to stay fluid and smooth, because smooth is fast.”
Heading into Sunday’s show jumping, Phillips is pleased with how Rockett is feeling and is looking forward to tackling a phase in which he typically excels.
“He’s a really phenomenal jumper, but I haven’t even thought a lick about tomorrow, if I’m being honest,” Phillips says. “But I’m excited to get out there and hope for the best. And if something happens, we’ll take away that homework and go work on it this winter.”
While leading a four-star competition heading into the final phase can bring considerable pressure, Phillips says she tends to thrive in those situations.
“I don’t really think about the pressure. I think a lot of people who know me would say that I am an anomaly when it comes to the pressure department,” Phillips says. “I ride better under pressure. I just have to do my job during the final phase, because he knows his job.”
Sharon White and Jaguars Duende. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Waylon Roberts and Fernhill Salt Lake delivered the division’s other double-clear round, climbing from fourth to second on their dressage score of 30.7.
Sharon White and Jaguars Duende held on to third place after jumping clear and adding 4.4 time penalties to bring their score to 34.9.
Meg Pellegrini and Falcon Crown Z Maintain Their Lead in The Estates at TerraNova/Laughlin Tanner Group CCI3*-L
Meg Pellegrini and Falcon Crown Z. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Meg Pellegrini and Falcon Crown Z maintained the lead in The Estates at TerraNova/Laughlin Tanner Group CCI3*-L today with a double-clear cross-country round. The pair finished in 8:56, maintaining their dressage score of 26.8 heading into Sunday’s show jumping.
After walking Alec Lochore’s cross-country course with her trainer, Will Coleman, Pellegrini felt confident the track would test their strong partnership while building on the pair’s recent successes.
“Coming off of my last few runs with Falcon, I knew that this would be a good test for his stamina and his fitness,” Pellegrini says. “I hoped that all the technical questions would jump really nicely, and thankfully, they did. He was honestly just a really good boy today, and everything rode well. The ground and weather were perfect—it couldn’t have been a better day for cross-country.”
But learning how to manage the pressure of going into cross-country as the overnight leader has been an important part of her development as a competitor. Today, however, she embraced the challenge of maintaining her lead.
“This isn’t the first time I’ve gone into cross-country day leading with this horse, and so I’ve gotten a bit used to the feeling of that pressure,” Pellegrini says. “I’ve had to learn how to take that pressure away and figure out what is the best situation for the horse I have today. And today, I went into it knowing I need to make the time. I handled that pressure on myself and on him to perform, and it was a good feeling.”
Before leaving the starting box, Pellegrini had a few familiar words during a pep talk with her partner.
“I always whisper in his ear before we go out of the box, ‘If you’re good, I’ll be good, too’” she says. “It’s a really nice feeling to know that we executed today, and he really showed up to play.”
One highlight of Pellegrini’s round was navigating TerraNova’s signature Mount Myakka combination. Although she had walked the imposing drop during last year’s competition, today marked her first time jumping it.
After watching several competitors navigate the combination, Pellegrini debated whether to ride forward for three strides or take a more conservative approach and add a stride. Falcon ultimately helped her make that decision.
“He dropped down and just saw the distance, and it was such a good feeling,” Pellegrini says. “He went down and did eight to a three, which I wasn’t planning at all. But I sort of just sat there and let him operate, and he was fantastic on that question.”
Another memorable moment came toward the end of the course at a large table to an angled brush near the barns. During their course walk, Coleman had cautioned Pellegrini not to underestimate the combination.
“Will had said, ‘Don’t let this catch you off guard, because it totally could. You’re at the end of the course. You and your horse might be a bit tired. Pay attention and really focus on this one,’” Pellegrini recalls. “As I was coming up to it, I was thinking to myself, ‘Okay, I’m good on the clock. Everything is good—I can just get through this no problem.’ Then he came up to it, and it kind of impressed him, and it reminded me to think, ‘Okay, Meg, you’ve got to just keep going and keep riding.’ But he did it really well, and then the last two jumps came up nicely.”
Heading into Sunday’s final phase, Pellegrini is encouraged not only by Falcon’s performance so far, but also by how well he recovered after cross-country and the preparation they have put into this final phase.
“He’s usually really good in the show jumping. We do a lot of show jumping practice at home, and we go to a lot of jumper shows,” Pellegrini says. “He came off the course, and he looked really fresh still. It took him about five minutes to recover, and even now he just looks like he hasn’t really done anything today, which is really exciting.”
With a one-point lead heading into Sunday, Pellegrini is looking forward to giving Falcon one final opportunity to showcase his strengths.
“I haven’t walked the show jumping course yet, but I know that they’re going to build something beautiful as always. I’ve got my fingers crossed that he is ready to jump clean again tomorrow!”
Karl Slezak and Herald de la Rose. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Karl Slezak and Herald De La Rose climbed from fourth to second with a double-clear round, keeping their dressage score at 27.8. Morgan Booth and Cold Red Rum moved from sixth to third on a score of 28.3.
With just 1.5 points separating the top three, Sunday’s final phase will leave little room for error.
The Event at TerraNova (FL): [Website] [Entries/Times] [Scores] [CrossCountry App XC Maps] [Empty Bowls Tickets] [Volunteer] [Free Live Stream]
