The $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final got underway today at the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds at Galway Downs with riders putting their best foot forward in the dressage ring.
As the penultimate pair of the division, Malibu, California’s Tommy Greengard and Andrea Pfeiffer’s That’s Me Z, an 8-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Take a Chance on Me Z x Venetia), delivered a standout test. Scoring 70.45% from both the judge at B, Debbie Adams, and the judge at C, Robyn Fisher, they wrapped up the phase on a 29.6 to claim the overnight lead heading into tomorrow’s cross-country phase.
Of his test, Greengard noted, “he was really good. You know, he’s quite green. He’s only 8, so there’s definitely a point here and there that’s still there to be had. But I thought some of his extended gaits were the best he’s done in the ring, and I couldn’t be happier with what we’ve been focusing on. He really delivered, so that was great.”
Greengard enters this week on a hot streak after finishing third in the CCI4*-S at Rebecca Farm (Kalispell, Montana) and has a packed schedule at the AEC with seven horses to manage.
Looking ahead to cross-country, he commented: “I think it [the course] looks good. I think it’s really well presented. It’s very fair to the horses. There’s plenty to do. Clayton [Fredericks] always does a great job here.”
While That’s Me Z has already made his mark as a USEA Young Event Horse champion and Le Lion grant recipient, today’s performance shows just how promising this partnership continues to be heading into the top levels of the sport. After spending a significant portion of last year training in at New Zealand Olympians Tim and Jonelle Price’s yard in England, Greengard has more confidence in his partnerships. “It’s been a great year in terms of solidifying the partnership,” he said, “and a newfound confidence for myself, the horses and the team in general.”
For the first time in its history, the AEC has traveled to California, and Greengard couldn’t hide his enthusiasm about seeing the championship hosted in his home state. “I think it’s amazing,” he said. “You know, we’re so fortunate to have it on the West Coast. I’ve been lucky enough to drive out when it’s on the East Coast, but it certainly made it so a lot more of our clients and a much broader group of horses could come to this season. And I think [organizer] Robert [Kellerhouse] done an amazing job, and with the support of all the sponsors, they’ve been able to put together quite a nice event.”
Taren Hoffos and Regalla. Photo by Lindsay Berreth / USEA.
Sitting in second place is Ramona, California’s Taren Hoffos aboard Regalla, Carolyn Hoffos’ 14-year-old Oldenburg mare (Sir Donnerhall x Rubbiera). The pair earned a 30.2 in dressage to stay hot on the leaders’ heels heading into the second phase. Regalla is the only mare contesting this year’s Advanced Final, and Hoffos also sits in seventh place with her second mount, Master Class.
“Her test was great, I am thrilled,” said Hoffos. “She was very hot, and that’s not unusual. I am working with Hannah Sue Hollberg, and she has really helped me be brave about pushing her forward. Allow her to go. It’s really working for her. She likes that ride, and it actually calms her down. I was happy that I was, brave enough to do that in the arena today.”
On the AEC being in her home state, Taren said, “It’s incredible. We’re so lucky. I actually have made my late summer schedule around this. I just think it’s remarkable that it’s out here. And I knew that Robert and the team would put so much good work into everything. And they really have. The grounds look amazing, and the footing’s great, and the courses are top notch.”
Karen O’Neal and Clooney 14. Photo by Lindsay Berreth / USEA.
Karen O’Neal (North Bend, Washington) and Annika Asling’s 11-year-old Westphalian gelding Clooney 14 (Captain Jack x Zauberfee) are in third, just behind Hoffos, with a 30.3. “I feel like I was braver today,” O’Neal explained. “Tamie Smith has been helping me a little bit, and we’ve been experimenting, and I felt more trusting him today and able to show him off a little better.”
Of the cross-country phase tomorrow, she said, “The course is super well built, beautiful fences, lots of challenges; it’s going to make me ride hard and be accurate because it is pretty technical.”
O’Neal, who has competed at Galway Downs several times continued, “there are a lot of new things too that I haven’t jumped here which is kind of fun for me, so I’m looking forward to it!”
USEA AEC, $60,000 Adequan Advanced Final and ATC Finals (CA): [Website] [Digital Program] [Schedule] [Live Stream – Equine Network] [Live Stream – H&C+] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
