The final day of international competition in The Eventing Championships at Galway Downs started auspiciously with all 55 FEI horses sailing through the horse inspection. It reflected well-prepared equine athletes and cross-country courses that tested without over taxing on Friday.
In the Grand Prix arena, show jumping course designer William Robertson had the final stamina and training test drawn over a course of mostly bending lines and striding options between Galway Downs’ famously colorful fences.
Inside the arena, long time Galway Downs supporter Tamie Smith “finally” won her first CCI4*-L here. The couple who got married here, James and Helen Alliston, celebrated their 7th anniversary with wins in the CCI3*-L and CCI3*-S, respectively. Juniors and amateurs mixed into the FEI podiums throughout the day. Southern California Pony Clubbers celebrated horsemanship foundations in a ringside Research Fair in the morning, and Halloween costumed revelers “boo”-gied into the night.
CCI4*-L Tamie Smith and Spiro P
Tamie Smith and Spiro P. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.
With the only two horses in this division, Tamie Smith was a shoo-in to win what would be her first CCI4*-L title at Galway Downs. Even so, the Grand Prix Arena crowd hushed when she entered the ring on Spiro P and, later, on Jump To Day 2.
Slotted in before the CCI4*-S riders so she’d have time to warm up both horses, Smith rode Spiro P first and continued the 11-year-old German Sport Horse’s “incredible” weekend to the win with 1.2 time penalties. Smith, however, took no credit. “He shined in all three phases and it’s all a testament to Megan Skyes, who developed him,” she said.
Sykes is closely associated with Smith’s training program and is part of Smith’s Next Level Eventing family. “So this was an all-in-the family win,” the West Coast eventing flag-bearer said.
In one of several horse-juggling acts this week, Smith next rode her CCI4*-S partner, Kynan, then closed the Saturday afternoon competition with her second CCI4*-L partner, Jump To Day D.
Preparing and competing three very different horses in a short time had its risks and Jump To Day 2 bore them, Smith said. They had two rails that “were no fault of his,” she asserted. “I just didn’t calibrate the difference right.” Beyond the faults, she was thrilled by the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood’s progression. Barely over a year into their partnership, “Dean” got more settled in both cross-country and show jumping by the end of those rounds and Smith is positive on how the outing sets them up for next season.
Smith is a many-time champion in every other division at Galway Downs. To the surprise of many, the CCI4*-L here is the one win that’s eluded her – until now. She reiterated her appreciation to Galway Downs organizer Robert Kellerhouse for staging a first-rate competition even with lower than usual entries. Both of the Team USA veteran’s horses are better for it and she can “finally” add this glaring omission to her stellar resume.
CCI4*-S Erin Kellerhouse and Ringwood Adios Amigos
Erin Kellerhouse and Ringwood Adios Amigo. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.
Galway Downs-based Erin Kellerhouse had 4+ rails to spare going into show jumping with her own Ringwood Adios Amigo, but that didn’t mean she felt relaxed. “Actually, I felt a ton of pressure because I was thinking…’What if I go in and fall off? Or something dumb happens?’” Instead, they added just two time penalties to easily secure the win – their second at the level since moving up to Advanced in July. “He’s a good jumper and I knew that, if I rode him well, he’d jump clean.”
She’s had the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse since he was 4 and their journey has been guided by patience. Kellerhouse figures that Amigo is now confirmed at the level and ready for a CCI4*-L next year. “It’s a question of me being able to ride him when he’s tired and gets heavy in front. We are working on that. But he certainly wasn’t tired today.”
Meanwhile, Kellerhouse’s win earned raucous applause and “it was a good way to end the season.”
Kaylana Smith-Cook and the uber-talented jumper Dealas maintained their 2nd standing with one rail and 1.2 time penalties. Tamie Smith and another star, the Kynan Syndicate’s Kynan, had just .8 time penalties to secure 3rd rank.
“I am over the moon about this horse this weekend,” said Tamie Smith. “He’s always been brave and strong, but it’s been a long process to get him to where he’s so rideable, so within himself and confident. His show jumping round was just great.”
CCI3*-L – James Alliston and Made by Leontine EB
James Alliston and Made By Leontine EB. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.
Celebrating his birthday, many-time Galway Downs champion James Alliston had a wire-to-wire win with Arnell Sporthorse’s Made by Leontine EB. They added only .8 time faults on cross country for a 26.7 finish. They had no rails to spare in the final phase yet made apparently easy work of the track.
This pair is now batting .625, having won five of the eight international events they’ve contested. “It’s like each win is building on each other,” Alliston said. “He is just growing in confidence and my confidence in trusting him has grown along with it. “
Eleven of the 16 horses in this field jumped without show jumping faults, only three had time faults, and the top three held their overnight spots. Amber Birtcil and the 7-year-old Dutch Warmblood Orpheus stayed 2nd on a 29.4. And Tamie Smith and Sumas Tina Turner, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare, are third on a 29.8.
There was lots of talk about the caliber of horses in this whole field. Top among those is the 8-year-old Argentine Sport Horse, Solaguayre Contata, who was 4th with Tamie Smith on a 29.8. She was the only horse to go fault-free and without time penalties. And James Alliston has another rising star, Berry, who was 5th on a 32.1.
CCI3*-S – Helen Alliston & Fary Prince
Helen Alliston and Fary Prince. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.
This pair’s Championships started with a brief scoring glitch that showed them standing 3rd after dressage. But Helen Alliston knew exactly where they stood – in the lead on a 26.1. And she made sure the 7-year-old British Sport Horse stayed there through minimal cross-country time penalties and double clear show jumping today.
Alliston didn’t need the 2+ rails they had over the runners-up. Instead, she piloted a calm, concise course with the elegantly athletic gelding bred by owners Hulme Equestrian. “You don’t have rails to spare very often, so you don’t ride any different – just focus on jumping clear,” said Alliston, who partners with her husband James Alliston in the Northern California-based Alliston Equestrian.
“The horse performed his best in every phase,” she reported. Especially on cross-country, where they’ve been speedy before but with some rough edges. “This is the fastest and smoothest he’s been and I was happy he stayed so nice and together.” He’s chill on dressage day, but ”bucks and squeals” when it’s time for show jumping. “He’s still easy to ride and loves his job, but he has a lot of personality,” she shared.
Alliston plans to continue taking her time with Fary Prince. “He’s doing a good level for his age, but he’s tall and I’ve found that tall guys take some time to get organized.” They are targeting a CCI3*-L at The Event at Rebecca Farm in July of next year.
Idaho-based Stephanie Goodman and Diranca leapt into 2nd, from 8, with solid cross-country and double clear show jumping. The 9-year-old Anglo/Dutch Warmblood finished on a 41.7. Kaylawna Smith-Cook and Picadilly Pride ME dropped two rails to finish 3rd on a 45.1 for the 9-year-old Swedish Warmblood.
CCI2*-L – Brynn Josey and Gentle Gallucci
Brynn Josey and Gentle Galluci. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.
Seattle-based amateur Brynn Josey and her own Gentle Gallucci moved from 2nd to 1st with double clear show jumping for a 25.6. The win was all the sweeter because of the perspective Josey, an ICU nurse, gained after taking five years away from the sport. “I think I’m more emotionally mature than I was as a teenager, when everything I did revolved around horses.” In the saddle, that manifests as “my brain being able to slow down.” Out of the saddle, it manifests as deep appreciation for having such a special horse in her life – whether they’re hacking bareback or winning at Galway Downs.
Making the cross-country time – a first for the pair at this level — was a major highlight, Josey shared. They were 23 seconds below it. “We were pushing for time and I am so excited with how fit he is.”
Amber Birtcil and Prince of Oolde had an unusual cloud in the realm with a mid-course rail. That left them in 2nd in an otherwise lovely outing for this consistently rising 6-year-old Dutch Warmblood.
Josey’s stablemate at Karen O’Neal Eventing, Patience O’Neal, was third with Viva Las Vegas, a 7-year-old Hanoverian. A freer hand on cross-country enabled them to make the time. The daughter of last year’s CCI4*-L winner, Karen O’Neal, Patience O’Neal credited part of the solid finish with not nitpicking on cross-country and show jumping. She and Viva Las Vegas started tied for 8th after dressage, and finished 3rd on a 33.
CCI1* – Kennedy Wiklund and BT Juste Capitaine
Kennedy Wiklund and BT Juste Capitaine. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.
In a 13-horse field that included several professionals, 15-year-old Kennedy Wicklund and BT Juste Capitaine emerged the winners. They started 2026 at Novice and capped their one-year partnership by moving up from 4th to 1st for the CCI1* title.
“Dressage was probably one of our best tests because I’ve been trying to get myself more relaxed,” the poised young rider said. “He’s been really helpful with that because he’s so confident.” Their 26.4 dressage effort set the stage for easy-breezy double clear cross-country. “He had fun going fast and he loved the galloping stretches.” They had .8 jumping faults today to finish on a 27.2. Wiklund has ridden with Lauren LoPiccolo Eventing in Northern California for three years.
Nicole LaGrange and CES Excel Star Clovers Chip finished 2nd on a 28.2, and Taylor McFall and Diarocca DF are 3rd on a 29.8.
Venue Earns Praise
CCI2* winner Brynn Josey had not competed at Galway Downs for seven years. She summarized the compliments from fellow competitors and visitors by describing its transformation as “amazing.” The 44,250-sf covered arena was enjoyed as a sheltered warm-up for the Grand Prix arena. It’s brand new yet fits right in and its roof-mounted solar panels power all the 240-acre property’s needs. New cozy seating cabanas graced several competition arenas and the VIP Pavilion with its all-day delicious meals and snacks has become a buzzy hub for riders, sponsors and supporters.
Nightly social gatherings in the ringside tents let everyone relax and enjoy the friendly vibe for which USEA Area VI is known. Last but not least, the evening’s Halloween costume contest was almost as hotly contested as the day’s eventing face-offs.
The Eventing Championships at Galway Downs (CA): [Website] [Scores]
