The energy building for several years crackled with new intensity as the Eventing Championships at Galway Downs (Temecula, CA) unfurled amid news of the venue being the proposed site for LA28 Olympic equestrian competition.
That intensity translated to an extra charged atmosphere on a warm, sunny day’s worth of FEI dressage.
Tamie Smith & Kynan Lead the CCI4*-L
Tamie Smith and Kynan. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Exuberance was on display in this division as four pairs began their quest for this title and the biggest chunk of the FEI divisions’ $45,000 in prize money. All four riders brought oodles of international experience and two of the horses were new to the level.
Tamie Smith and the Kynan Syndicate’s Kynan emerged atop on a 32.3. They are just ahead of student and 2023 Young Rider of the Year Molly Duda and her own Disco Traveler. New to the 4-L, this pair sit on a 32.9. Pennsylvania-based 5* rider Jennie Brannigan and FE Connery are third with a 36.3. Alliston Equestrian’s Cora is also stepping up into this division, and she and James Alliston are fourth with a 37.1.
A 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood, Kynan was “feeling fit and ready to go,” said Smith. “With the atmosphere in that ring I’m super pleased with his walk and trot work. When we picked up the canter, though, he kind of found another gear. He kind of lost it!
“But it’s nothing to be disappointed about,” she continued. “I think he’s actually feeling proud of himself. Now he just needs to learn to be a professional. He has all the qualities to be a top horse in the world,” Smith concluded. “It just takes time.”
Smith’s impact on the West Coast equestrian world is represented in the horsemanship and advancements of several riders, including Molly Duda. Duda is right behind Smith in this division with her own 15-year-old Swedish Warmblood.
“We never knew if he’d be able or want to be a four-star horse but he’s showed us that he’s more than capable of the level,” said Duda. The pair were selected for US Equestrian’s European Developing Riders Tour this past summer, one of many experiences that’s helped them advance.
Two flawless flying changes illustrated one of their greatest points of progress – flatwork, said the University of California Los Angeles sophomore. “We are starting to get that level of collection needed at four-star.”
Third-standing Jennie Brannigan earned her first 4*-L victory at Galway Downs in 2010, with Cambalda, and the venue continues to be a hub for many long friendships. Today, the 12-year-old Holsteiner, FE Connery, who is owned by Tim and Nina Gardner, had moments of excess energy in an otherwise lovely ride. That should serve them well on Friday’s 29-obstacle cross-country adventure from designer Clayton Fredericks.
The CCI4*-L ground jury was Anne-Mette Binder, Bea DiGrazia and Amanda Miller, who also evaluated the CCI3*-L.
Smith and Lillet 3 Lead the CCI3*-L
Tamie Smith and Lillet 3. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Lillet 3’s dressage test was as light and elegant as the impression her name evokes. The 8-year-old Holsteiner mare and Tamie Smith earned a 29 to lead the field of 17 starters.
Lillet is owned by young rider Molly Duda, purchased as a horse for Smith’s future, and it looks like that future may arrive fast. They paired up only this summer and won Preliminary in their debut together at Rebecca Farm.
Smith could not have higher hopes for the mare.
“She’s been an absolute joy. She tries really hard, she’s super elegant, moves well, has a good brain and gallops.” She describes cross-country as Lillet’s strong suit and looks forward to tomorrow. “She’s not strong, she’s careful, brave, fast and rideable.”
Reflecting Smith’s role in West Coast eventing, two of the many riders she helps are tied for second on a 32.1. Molly Duda and her own Carlingsfords He’s A Clover, a 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse, continue an ascendant partnership.
“He’s been a tricky one to figure out,” Duda shared. “He used to be more dull and a horse that you really wanted to get in front of your leg. Now he’s almost gone the other way and I have to reel him in. I feel like I’m riding a new horse.”
Duda credited Smith’s help in all areas, especially “helping me ride what’s underneath me, riding off feel, and to ride the horse you in the moment.”
Duda and Clover are tied with Texas-based Megan Sykes and Spiro P, a 7-year-old German Sport Horse owned by Donna Wallace.
“I’m really pleased with how he handled the atmosphere,” Sykes said. “It’s his first 3*-L and he can be a reactive horse, so I’m happy with how he kept his head even though I had to be a little reserved in some places.”
Sykes and Spiro also have connections to Tamie Smith. Sykes was a working student for Smith years ago and continues to appreciate Smith’s mentorship. Plus, Spiro was purchased from Smith’s daughter and fellow professional, Kaylawna Smith-Cook.
The Texas professional has not been back to Galway Downs in several years and is knocked out by the venue’s improvements. “It’s very impressive what they continue to put into it.” Along with Spiro’s FEI outing, Sykes has a Modified Training horse and students contesting the Regional Championships staged concurrently with FEI and Horse Trails competition. “That added to making the long trip from Texas a great goal for the end of the year.”
Goodman and Elwenda DP Lead CC2*-L
Stephanie Goodman and Elwenda DP. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.
At an age when some sport horses plateau, 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood Elwenda DP keeps getting better and better. Idaho-based professional Stephanie Goodman took the mare on as an amateur dressage horse. “We never thought she could do eventing at this level, but she loves to jump and she just keeps showing us that this is what she wants to do.”
Owned by Deanna Briggs, the mare is also spooky. But even in an atmospheric Halloween day in the big arena, Elwenda kept her cool, especially relaxing into the test’s stretchy circles.
James Alliston and HRM Rolan were almost last to go in the 35-horse division, but they jumped into second with a 29.8 score from judges Amanda Miller and Bea DiGrazia. The 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse, owned by Anna Nicholas, gave Alliston another nice ride to celebrate his 40th birthday.
Lauren Billys Shady’s lovely test with Clearsky slotted them into third on a 30.2 score. The 9-year-old Holsteiner is one of three relatively new horses owned by the Team LaToni Syndicate. It’s named after Shady’s Puerto Rican grandmother, the muse for her twice fulfilled Olympic dream that burns anew.
“He’s fun to show because he really turns it on in the ring,” said Shady. “I can really enjoy myself in the dressage ring with him because he is such a reliable partner.”
Shady is excited about tomorrow’s “galloping course with some accuracy questions at the end to slow the rider down and ensure they keep the horse packaged up. I think it will be a great first Long format for this horse. The jumps are well presented and its clear what the course designer wants.”
There is very little wiggle room in the standings. Alliston and Renaissance Man and Reese Blinks and I’m Jaguar are tied right behind Shady on a 30.3, and the rest of the list has little daylight.
Smith & Solaguayre Cantata Lead the CCI*-L
Tamie Smith and Solaguarye Cantata. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.
Tamie Smith concluded a stellar day in the sandbox when she and Julianne Guariglia’s Solaguayre Cantata earned a 24.3 from judges Vicky Stashuk-Matisi and Bea DiGrazia. The 6-year-old Argentine Sporthorse’s score leads the 16-horse division and lays down the best FEI score of the event.
Fourteen-year-old Paige Beauchamp Crandon and Fyfin Ramiro stand second on a 27, with the thrill of a partnership that “feels like it’s really coming together.”
“We’ve scored well at Modified, but the 1* is a whole different level and it feels great to get this new experience with similar good scores.” Paige and the 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare train with Mickayla Howard and Avon Eventing in the Bay Area. Paige hopes to follow in the super successful Young Rider footsteps of her big sister Julia Beauchamp Crandon.
Lauren Crabtree and Derroon Diamond, another 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare, are positioned third with a 27.3. This 16-horse division is tightly packed from the second rung down.
Cross Country Awaits
The electric atmosphere continues Friday as Galway Downs welcomes new fans and local officials curious for a glimpse of what’s ahead with the LA28 Olympic possibilities. Luxury hospitality tents host a Bridle Brunch near the Oasis water complex and sizable crowds are expected to see horse sports at their very best.
International cross-country begins at 10:05 a.m. with the CCI3*L, followed by 4*, 2*, 1*. You can preview the courses on CrossCountryApp here. Live stream information can be found in the link list below.
The Eventing Championships at Galway Downs (CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Schedule] [Scoring] [Free H&C Live Stream] [Free Ride On Video Live Stream] [Volunteer]
