United States Eventing Association

Debutantes Shine in the CCI4*-L at The Eventing Championships at Galway Downs

Temecula, Calif.—Nov. 1— It was new talent on display today in the CCI4*-L at the Eventing Championships at Galway Downs with debutants filling the top of the leaderboard.

Molly Duda and her own Disco Traveler (Donatelli x Cadence) conquered Clayton Frederick’s 5700m of 40 jumping efforts with 6.0 time faults added to their dressage score. This was their first CCI4*-L attempt for a total score of 38.9.

“He just continues to exceed all expectations,” Duda exclaimed. “He's such a fighter. I definitely made some mistakes out there, and he saved me every time. He knows his job so well, and he knows he's supposed to get through the flags.”

After a summer of adventures with the 2024 U.S. Eventing European Development Tour at Millstreet and Bicton along with continued education from the USEA EA21 program, Duda has added 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L winner Tamie Smith to her coaching roster.

“[Smith] has so much wisdom, and she's so generous,” Duda remarked. “One thing that I've worked on with Tamie, is his gallop and making sure he's very through. He naturally likes to have his head a little bit high and his back low. If we can get him to use his back more, then he gallops more efficiently and has more energy by the end.”

As the proposed site for the LA 2028 Olympics, viewing areas were created to watch the cross-country at various points on course. Over 400 people, including the Mayor of Temecula and City Council Members, were in attendance and there were even new members of the public volunteering on course.

“It's cool to have that [crowd],” Duda added. “When everyone cheered for us, [as] we went through the [Oasis Water], that gave us another little burst of energy.”

Occupying second place, James Alliston and Alliston Equestrian’s Cora (Commissario x La-Montana) rose to the occasion in the mare’s first CCI4*-L attempt. His concerns for her debut were put to bed as the mare answered every question positively and confidently.

“You don't really know what to expect with the jumps and the galloping [in their first four long],” he commented. “The courses were nice and well-designed. It gives a chance for the green horses to get some good jumps in before the meat of the course. You can put your hands down, and you have a lot of space just to let them gallop and get the adrenaline good. So it was a perfect start for a first-timer.”

As the fastest combination of the day, Alliston added 5.6 time penalties to his dressage score for a total of 42.7. Less than a pole separates him from Duda and with four podium finishes in four FEI appearances, Alliston and Cora are positioned to finish well.

But Alliston isn’t letting that affect his mental game.

“Helen and I, we own her, and we're thrilled with this lovely debut. Hopefully, she pulls up well for it. [We’ll] enjoy today before worrying about tomorrow.”

Jennie Brannigan with her own and Nina and Tim Gardener’s FE Connory (Conrato x Hocaponta) continue to hold third place after adding 8.0 time penalties for a total of 44.3.

“I thought it was a proper track, and I think they've done a great job here at this venue, making it better and better,” Brannigan commented. As a native-born Californian, she has seen Galway Downs grow and develop over the years. “It certainly was challenging enough.”

She and the gelding attended the 2023 FEI Eventing Nations Cup Netherlands CCIO4*-NC-L, held at the Military Boekelo-Enschede, where he stumbled in the final water. One of the water obstacles in the backfield gave Brannigan pause for its similarities.

“I was concerned about [that],” she said. “He hung a leg there, and I had to save us. Maybe I rode up a bit too boldly to it [but] I was very pleased with him.”

They finished strong and full of running with pricked ears so their attention can turn to show jumping with confidence and no small amount of relief.

Overnight leader Tamie Smith and the Kynan Syndicate’s Kynan had an unfortunate run out at 6b, a log on a mound downhill to a very steeply angled brush fence on three open strides. Despite her best efforts to hold the line, Kynan brushed through the flag resulting in Smith needing to represent and thus accruing a 20 on course. They added an additional 8.8 time penalties for a total score of 61.1 and dropped into fourth place.

For now, we leave our competitors to a night of icing, poulticing, and hand-walking. We will rejoin them at 8 a.m. PST for the second horse inspection. CCI4*-L show jumping starts at 3:20 p.m. PST where the winner will be crowned!

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