Six divisions of international dressage kicked off the Eventing Championships at Galway Downs today. Members of the Smith and Alliston families lead in the 4* and 3* levels, while members of the Ground Juries complimented the overall quality of horsepower on display in the Grand Prix and Sycamore Arenas. That quality, and riders making the most of it, resulted in very tight standings at the top of most levels.
Short format competition at 3* and 4* are new this year, as are “Team Challenges” for collegiate, high school and middle school age eventers. The Area VI Eventing Championships add to the excitement and activity again this year. All it all, it’s four days during which every eventer has a chance to excel and advance on an international-caliber competition stage – from Starter pairs up to CCI4*-L.
Tamie Smith Locked on the CCI4*-L
Tamie Smith revealed that she has never won the CCI4*-L at Galway Downs, which is her competitive home turf – located across the street from her Next Level Eventing. Smith has multiple titles at every other level, but this one has eluded her. With Smith riding the only two horses in the division, that should change this weekend.
Smith didn’t use the lack of competition to relax her standards, and she was pleased with the performances of both horses. She leads on Megan Sykes’ Spiro P, a 9-year-old German Sport Horse owned by Donna Wallace. Sykes has a long association with Smith and her training program so “it was almost like he was my horse” when Smith took over the ride this past March. “We had a few little communication errors, but not in a bad way. I’m really pleased with the overall performance and feel like he’s really coming on.”
Smith is 2nd with Jump To Day D, on a 32.1 Their partnership began with a CCI3*-L win here last year and their 32.1 today represented a break-through. “That was the first time that he was so relaxed and he really tried,” Smith explained. “You could hear him whinny and he was a bit insecure. In the past, he would usually explode when that happens, but not this time.”
Staged in Galway Downs’ atmospheric Grand Prix Arena, today’s CCI4*-L dressage was evaluated by the Ground Jury of Peter Gray (CAN), Debbie Adams (USA) and Bea DiGrazia (USA).
Smith made a point of sharing her appreciation for organizer Robert Kellerhouse and the Galway Downs team in pulling out all the stops for the CCI4-L with only two entries. “It would have been easy to make it an afterthought, but instead they’ve really done a top job.” That includes Friday’s cross-country course, designed by Australia’s Clayton Fredericks. It looks “super” and plenty different than previous tracks, Smith said. “Robert (Kellerhouse) told me that, whether they have 200 horses or 2, they’re going to do everything to the highest standard, and I really appreciate that.”
CCI4*-S – Tamie Smith and Kynan Lead
Smith and the Kynan Syndicate’s Kynan continue a three-year international trek, leading the CCI4*-S on a 28.8. The elegant 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood earned Smith’s highest praise. “I was so impressed with how rideable he was, his self-carriage and by how much I could ride him from back to front.”
It’s a pay-off for patience with Kynan being “cheeky and a bit of a baby” in his early years. “He’s big and strong and I’ve always needed a bit of ring craft to pull out what I needed from him, but I didn’t have to do that today,” she continued. “He was accurate and correct and I had fun riding him. It was cool to feel his confidence and how bold I could ride him.”
Smith’s daughter and fellow professional Kaylawna Smith-Cook kept the good vibe in the family. She and Dealas, a 9-year-old Holsteiner, sit 2nd on a 32.2. “He’s my best friend,” Smith-Cook said of her partner of two years. “He’s been slow to develop, but I feel like his strength is coming just in time” for their first 4* effort. “He’s an unbelievable trier – he never says ‘no.’”
Like her mom, Smith-Cook is grateful for opportunities made possible at this year’s Eventing Championships, including the addition of the CCI4*-S. “It’s been our goal to move up and this was the perfect opportunity to do it.”
Idaho-based Stephanie Goodman and Elwenda DP had some uncharacteristic bobbles but are in the hunt with a 32.6 for the reliably good 17-year-old Dutch Warmblood. Also in ascent mode, Erin Kellerhouse and Ringwood Adios Amigo will leave the start box Friday on a 38.2, in 4th position.
CCI3*-L – James Alliston and Made by Leontine EB Lead
James Alliston and Made by Leontine EB. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.
Consistently impressive performances are James Alliston and Made By Leontine EB’s trademark and the Northern Californians logged another one today. They top the 17-horse field on a 25.9 from the Debbie Adams (USA) and Peter Gray (CAN) Ground Jury.
The 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood owned by Arnell Sporthorses exemplified the quality of contenders praised by both officials after this phase. For the rider, Leo’s relaxed attitude translated to ideal rideability.
Clayton Fredericks’ cross-country should suit the handsome gray horse well, Alliston said. “It looks like a nice galloping, open course, which should be good for him. It’s big and challenging and he has some good experience at this level.” If all goes well here, Alliston hopes to have another 4* horse in his quiver next year.
Savannah Gwin and Molly Duda’s De Facto are second on a 26.9. In their two years together, they’ve been there for each other – Gwin having the guts and grit to take on a horse that regularly bucked others off, and De Facto waiting while Gwin recovered from a broken neck in early 2025. The happy chapters of their story include two European competitions this summer, while accompanying coach Tamie Smith to the FEI World Championships (Germany) and Molly Duda to the U25 World Championships (Ireland). The whole experience gave Gwin and the striking 11-year-old German Warmblood a big confidence boost.
“It was eye opening in a good way,” said Gwin, who also described Smith and the Duda family’s support as “life changing.”
Gwin anticipates that making the time will be the biggest challenge on cross-country. “I’ve had trouble going super fast with him because he’s a bit strong, but he’s grown up a lot and we’re going to do our best out there.”
Tamie Smith and Sumas Tina Turner are in 3rd position on a 27.4. The 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare is owned by Julianne Guariglia.
CCI3*-S – Helen Alliston and Fary Prince Lead
Helen Alliston and Fary Prince. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.
Having ridden Fary Prince for breeder Hulme Equestrian for several years, Helen Alliston had been unsure when was the right time to push the “go” button on the big and big moving 7-year-old British Sport Horse. So she sought the advice of dressage Olympic team bronze medalist Laura Graves in two recent video lessons. “Laura is all about being ‘on it’!,” Alliston shared. In earning a field-leading 26.8 from Ground Jury members Debbie Adams and Peter Gray, Alliston asked for more and got it easily and elegantly. “I felt it work today,” she said.
Fary Prince is typically solid on cross-country and Alliston expects the same for Friday’s outing.
Kaylawna Smith-Cook and Piccadilly’s Pride M.E. follow on a 28.3. The 9-year-old Swedish Warmblood is owned by Bonner Carpenter and has been in Smith-Cook’s program for slightly over a year. “He’s the funniest horse I know,” she shares. “I joke that he does not take his job seriously, but he proved me wrong today.”
Canadian Olympian Hawley Awad sits 3rd, on a 30.7, with her own Levino, an 11-year-old Holsteiner.
CCI2*-L – Amber Birtcil and Prince of Oolde
Amber Birtcil and Prince of Oodle. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.
Wins dominate results for Amber Birtcil and Prince of Oolde, 6-year-old Dutch Warmblood, owned by Cellar Farm Corp. Grand Jury members Bea di Grazia (USA) and Vicky Stashuk-Matisi (USA) awarded a 25 score that tops this 15-horse field.
“’Noodles’ has been just lovely to produce all along the way,” Birtcil said. She was especially pleased with the 6-year-old’s focus in the Sycamore Arena, when Noodles had few equine friends around as the second to last in the class. Birtcil is excited to tackle his first Long format cross-country. “He’s young and there will be a lot of different questions for him, but the course looks great and I think he is very much up to the challenge.”
Brynn Josey and Gentle Gallucci are close behind on a 25.6 and Jennifer McFall and High Five DF are 3rd with a 26.1.
CCI1*-L – Savannah Gwin & Crafty Don Lead the Way
Savannah Gwin and Crafty Done. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.
Savannah Gwin and Crafty Don earned the lowest FEI dressage score with a 24.8 from Ground Jury members Vicky Stashuk-Matisi (USA) and Bea DiGrazia (USA). The 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse is owned by Julianne Guariglia. Veteran professional Deborah Rosen and Nevada, an 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood, are 2nd on a 26. Leah Forquer and Favorit Ask, a 9-year-old Hanoverian, sit third on a 26.2.
Intercollegiate and Interscholastic Challenges
Always a highlight of the West Coast eventing season, the Eventing Championships at Galway Downs added the “Team Challenges” for collegiate, high school and middle school eventers. It’s a precursor to the USEA’s inaugural Western U.S. Championships for Intercollegiate and Interscholastic riders that will debut at Galway Downs Nov. 4-7 of 2027.
Ten interscholastic division (high school and middle school) teams and three collegiate squads face off over the weekend. Some are “scramble” teams comprised of members from various schools, and each squad includes riders competing in various divisions. The turn-out bodes well for early West Coast embrace of a program that is thriving on the East Coast.
Friday Line Up
International competition continues Friday with cross-country, as national and USEA Area VI Championships phases continue and/or begin.
The Eventing Championships at Galway Downs (CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Schedule] [Scores] [Volunteer]
