I was unable to catch much of the beginning of the CCI* unfortunately, but it was easy to see how much trouble it was causing. The rain was almost torrential at times and after the CCI* division the courses were adjusted to make some allowances for the weather. As an indicator, John Strassburger, above, who has been so helpful and a wealth of knowledge all weekend in his role as Press Officer, actually moved up a place in the CCI* with steeplechase division to 3rd, despite having seven rails down and two time penalties on Firebolt, above.
Equally, James Alliston said he thought he was in for a rough ride when he had an early rail on the slightly rank Mojo, but they held it together, and as we now know, it was ultimately good enough for the win.
Andrea Baxter has been impressive all weekend on a number of horses, finishing 2nd in the CCI* with steeplechase on Indy 500 with just two time faults to add from the show-jumping.
Bea Di Grazia was desperately unlucky to have a stop and pop off at the last treble after what was looking like a beautiful and clear round.
Stacey Winter and Stella Brava, sadly four down in the CCI* dropped them from 2nd to 12th place. Tamra Smith finished in 13th place on Top Secret, and although 3 rails down was neither a disaster nor a cause for celebration, everyone was happy to see her back in the ring, and I hear she made a very attractive spider at the Competitor’s Costume Party on Saturday night! Alyssa Phillips jumped a very nice clear round on lovely Exploring to move up ten places to sixth, it looks like she’s getting the hang of Digby nicely. 
Barbara Crabo had four fences in hand coming into the arena, but only used one up to win the CCI* with Steeplechase on Over Easy. I managed to catch up with her after her 3rd place finish later on Eveready in the CCI***
Sarah Mittleider on the young Harry Houdini had two down in the CCI* to finish fourth, leaving the door open for James Alliston and Mojo to win, Amber Shevin was second on Weltina, and Lisa Peecock third on Blackfoot Mystery, all three moving up the leaderboard considerably thanks to their jumping.
James was to make a habit of collecting prizes at Galway this weekend!
Jeanine Allred on Snap Decision in the CCI**
Angela Grzywinski and Novelle
Shannon Lilley got a few very friendly catcalls when she entered the ring wearing her pinque coat that she earned just recently in Guadalajara, but she christened it in fabulous form on US soil by jumping a clear and moving up four places to finish fifth on Forgotten Emblem.
Kristin Schmolze had just two time penalties on the big bay Ballylaffin Bracken, but they were expensive nonetheless and they finished 8th.
Maya Black and Konyagi, one rail, 6th place
James Alliston and Tivoli, clear, 2nd
Project Runway is a cracking little horse, ably ridden by Max McManamy. Two rails down must have been disappointing, but I caught up with her briefly after the prizegiving for the CCI**, and not only did she finish 3rd overall, she also took home a very special prize.
After Max’s two rails, there were two people left to jump for the win – Hawley Bennet and SplendoroftheSun, and leader Amber Levine on Oz Poof of Purchase. Splendorofthesun, a lovely moving, talented chestnut with bags of presence was unlucky to have 3 down, dropping Hawley to 9th place. Owned by Pamela and John Hudson, Hawley says Sunny is one of her favourite horses on the ground at home, that he’s a complete angel, and that despite being slightly older, (Hawley might have said he was in his 70’s but I was running to catch up and might have misheard) his owner John comes and rides him while Hawley’s away competing.
By the time Amber Levine brought Oz Poof of Purchase into the ring it almost seemed surreal – she had one fence in hand, incredibly over James Alliston again, and when she used that up early I think we all began to wonder if James might be about to pull a William Fox-Pitt and win every single FEI division. Oz Poof of Purchase left all the other rails up though, very capably piloted by Amber who has a background in hunter/jumpers, and they took home the CCI** honours. Congratulations and thanks again to everyone who took part, and everyone who made Galway Downs possible. Go Eventing!
