We’re nearly to the end of USEA American Eventing Championships and wow, what a busy week it’s been! We’ll get to the individual recaps and social media round-up soon, but first here’s a look at the scores:
$60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final: Helen Alliston and Ebay (32.8)
USEA Intermediate Championship: Tommy Greengard and Joshuay MBF (32.9)
Bates USEA Jr./YR Preliminary Championship: Maddie Smith and Versace (44.2)
Bates USEA Preliminary Horse Championship: Nicole Aden and Illustrator (26.8)
Bates USEA Preliminary Rider Championship: Eileen Galoostian and Ardeo Lord Lancelot (34.5)
Bates USEA Preliminary Amateur Championship: Amy Haugen and Ebenholtz (31.2)
Festival Open Preliminary: Kelly Groot and Super Nova (23.4)
Festival Open Modified: Sarah Sullivan and La Copine (26.4)
USEA Open Modified Championship: Madison Langerak and Normandy Kivalo (20.6)
Festival Open Training: Stephanie Goodman and Esmèe (23.8)
USEA Training Amateur Championship: Amber Pearson and Chosen One DF (27.6)
USEA Training Horse Championship: Tommy Greengard and Shannondale Farm (25.8)
USEA Training Jr. Championship: Lizzie Hoff and HSH Limited Edition (24.8)
USEA Training Rider Championship: Sarah Ross and Fernhill Heart Throb (28.6)
Festival Open Novice A: McLaine Mangum and Grantstown Mr. Big (32.9)
Festival Open Novice B: Teresa Harcourt and Csongor (26.4)
USEA Novice Amateur Championship: Kyla Tovar and Kilcoltrim Jacko (28.3)
USEA Novice Horse Championship: Tommy Greengard and Cappachina (26.4)
USEA Novice Jr. Championship: Olivia Keye and Oso Mighty (27.2)
USEA Novice Rider Championship: Alyssa Cairo and Paddington (25.4)
Festival Open Beginner Novice A: Julie Goodwin and Horse Of My Dreams (29.7)
Festival Open Beginner Novice B: Kelly Schwisow and Redfieldd Out Of The Blue (26.3)
USEA Beginner Novice Amateur Championship: Jenna McFadden and Take a Shot (28.3)
USEA Beginner Novice Horse Championship: Madeline Backus and Slew the Blues (26.6)
USEA Beginner Novice Jr. Championship: Bridget Kelly and Windover Tarragon (27.8)
USEA Beginner Novice Rider Championship: Mandy Collins and Vatino (29.2)
It Was Helen Alliston’s Time to Shine in $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final
Crowds gathered ringside on Friday afternoon for the pinnacle event of the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds: the final phase of the $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final. Friendly wagers were made amongst spectators: would an Alliston (who claimed each of the top three spots on the leaderboard) take home the win and if so– which one? Husband and wife duo James and Helen Alliston, based out of San Ramon, California, made the trek to Rebecca Farm for the second time this summer with one goal in mind: to win. For Helen, the hope was to win and schedule a much-needed vacation, but James had his sights set on investing in a new horse to add to their very successful string. With three Alliston-owned horses at the top of the leaderboard (and one more who sat in fifth following cross-country), the odds were in the Alliston’s favor.
Heading into show jumping, it was James’ mount gelding Paper Jam (Paparazzo x Reely Jammin XX) who was leading the division. Hot on the 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding’s heels, however, sat Helen’s longtime partner Ebay (Escudo x Contessa), a 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding who was just fractions of a point off of Paper Jam’s score. One rail would cost James the win (and potentially a new horse too!), but there wasn’t as much rivalry going on between the couple as there was amongst the crowd.
“I was rooting for him to jump clear because it is our horse and I knew he would sulk a lot, and that’s no good,” said Helen with a laugh. “But really, I just wanted to jump a clear round. My show jumping has been pretty poor this year, and he is a really careful jumper so I have been a little bit down on myself about that. So that is all I cared about.”
[Read the full Advanced recap]
Greengard and Joshuay MBF Celebrate Victory in USEA Intermediate Championship at #AEC2022
After dressage, it was Tommy Greengard who led the pack of talented horses and riders in the USEA Intermediate Championship at the 2022 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds on a score of 25.3 aboard his own 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Joshuay MBF (Foreign Affair x Fernacchy MBF). Heading into day two the duo, who both moved up to the level this year took to Ian Stark’s cross-country course and laid down a solid trip, but ultimately settled into second place behind Travis Atkinson and his own 13-year-old Zweibrucker gelding Don Darco (Damarco x Gong Lee) after accruing 7.4-time penalties.
Within striking distance of the title, Greengard knew he and Joshuay MBF has a chance at taking home the ultimate victory. Noting that “Josh” has a strong jump, Greengard reflected that they have had a green rail at every event this season. Honing in on their show jumping training at home, the pair walked into the arena at Rebecca Farm this afternoon hot and ready to roll. “He has won a lot,” the rider commented, “but it has not always been finishing on his dressage score this year. To have a double clear round was all that I was going for today. He is so amazing and he tried his guts out. We have been working really hard on the show jumping to get this moment. To have it come together today was huge.”
[Read the full Intermediate recap]
Preliminary, All Packaged Up With Winners Included at #AEC2022
Show jumping at the 2022 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds brought the Bates USEA Preliminary Championship to a close today and ribbons were pinned on each winner before riders took off on their victory lap. With winners in every level, each offered different expectations and emotions to the table. This division had a wide range of riders who rode for the win and, most importantly, for their personal best.
[Read the full Preliminary recap]
Training Levels Tackle Ian Stark’s Cross-Country Course at #AEC2022
Competitors in the USEA Training Championship divisions at the 2022 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds were in for a special treat on Friday morning as they geared up to gallop across an Ian Stark-designed cross-country course on the stunning grounds of Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, Montana. The brisk morning brought forth peak cross-country conditions, allowing riders the opportunity to enjoy the ride of their lives at the foot of Glacier National Park.
[Read the full Training recap]
#AEC2022 Novice Leaders White-Knuckle Overnight Standings After Tackling Cross-Country
Novice competitors left it all out on the field today as they conquered a challenging but fair championship cross-country course. The Ian Stark-designed course offered interesting questions for novice riders who may or may not have found them familiar but these leaders tackled each obstacle with the right answers to cohesively maintain their overnight lead.
Beginner Novice Leaders Remain Unchanged After a Successful Final Day of Cross-Country at #AEC2022
The Beginner Novice competitors at the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds took to the rolling hills of Rebecca Farm today to tackle Ian Stark’s cross-country course on Saturday. As the final level to leave the start box this week, the competitors had the benefit of watching several divisions negotiate the Montana terrain before they headed out on course. It clearly worked in their favor, as a majority of the competitors finished the phase with double-clear scores. All four dressage leaders have maintained their positions as we progress to the final day of AEC competition.
[Read the full Beginner Novice recap]
USEA American Eventing Championships (Kalispell, MT): [Website] [Ride Times/Live Scores] [Livestream] [Shannon Brinkman Photography] [Ride On Video]
