United States Eventing Association

Temecula, Calif.—Aug. 30—James Alliston and HMR Rolan (Tolan R x Aldatus Diamond) claimed the USEA Open Intermediate Championship, entering the final phase with a rail in hand. Fresh off their second-place finish in last month’s CCI3*-L at Rebecca Farm (Kalispell, Montana), the San Ramon, California-based Team USA rider and the 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding sealed the win on their dressage score of 29.5.

Alliston describes HMR Rolan as “a really lovely, talented horse,” and the gelding has proven just that. Though their partnership is just over two years old, Rolan has risen through the levels quickly thanks to his natural ability and brave character. Originally purchased off a video in the middle of the night by owner Anna Nicholas, the gelding showed early signs of having a big future, and he’s delivering on that promise.

Though Alliston admitted that Thursday’s dressage test wasn’t their best, the pair found their rhythm on cross-country. They climbed three spots into the lead after delivering the fastest round of the day and the only double-clear in the 22-horse division.

He’s a very natural jumper out on cross-country,” Alliston explained. “He just has a lovely technique and is brave, careful, fast—and he’s developing the speed. I wasn’t necessarily sure how quickly, because he’s quite a big horse. He’s got stamina without being naturally super quick, but he’s definitely getting faster.”

The final day brought its own pressure. “It was a long wait today! I didn’t have anything else to do, so I was just sort of hanging out, getting nervous,” Alliston admitted. “You’re always nervous that something could go wrong when you’re in the lead—it was a nervous wait until the end of the day!”

Temecula native Erin Kellerhouse had a strong showing, riding her own 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding Bon Vivant GWF (Banderas x Power Point) to a second-place finish on a 35.9. She also secured fourth place with Ringwood Adios Amigo.

“I’m thrilled—he’s just been amazing this season,” Kellerhouse shared of Bon Vivant GWF. “He’s a really sensitive horse, but for the most part he’s quiet. He’s quirky, he wants to do his job, and he’s reliable.”

Kellerhouse praised their dressage test, calling it one of their best yet. “It was clean, and we didn’t make any mistakes. He’s a good mover, but not an amazing, fancy mover, so we have to put in an accurate test. He stayed with me the whole time and was really good.”

On cross-country, Bon Vivant GWF continued to shine. “The time was hard to make, but he was so fun. He gave me a good run and a great ride.”

Molly Duda, of Menlo Park, California, piloted Jutopia, her 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Caretino Gold x Bali-Utopia), to a third-place finish on a score of 38.5. The pair earned a dressage score of 28.1, added 6.0 time penalties on cross-country, and closed out with 0.4 time penalties and one rail down in show jumping.

“It’s a very new partnership with her, and she’s wonderful,” Duda said. “Show jumping is the phase that she struggles with the most because she isn’t very natural in her jumping form, so we’ve been working on some exercises to help her get off the ground a little bit. I was really proud of how hard she tried out there today!”

Duda, who has been balancing competition with time studying abroad, admitted the journey with Jutopia has required patience. “She’s teaching me a lot, especially on the flat, because she’s very classically trained and such a lovely mover,” she continued. “But it’s been a process. At first, it was just getting to know her since I was out of the country for much of the past year. Tamie [Smith] also took over the reins from me for a period of time, and she’s been brilliant in helping me with her. I’m really proud of how our partnership is developing.”

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About the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC)

The USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds is the pinnacle of the sport at the national levels. Held annually, the best junior, adult amateur, and professional competitors gather to vie for national championship titles at every level from Starter to Advanced. This ultimate test of horse and rider draws hundreds of combinations from around the country to compete for fabulous prizes, a piece of the substantial prize money, and the chance to be named the National Champion at their respective levels. In fact, the 2021 AEC garnered over 1,000 entries and now stands as the largest eventing competition in North American history. The 2025 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds will be held on Aug. 27-31 at Galway Downs in Temecula, California. Click here to learn more about the USEA American Eventing Championships.

The USEA would like to thank Presenting Sponsor: Nutrena Feeds; Advanced Final Title Sponsor: Adequan; Platinum Level Sponsor: Bates Saddles, Marshall+Sterling Equine Insurance; Gold Level Sponsors: ARMA, PulseVet, Schneiders Saddlery, SmartEquine, Standlee; Silve Level Sponsors: Auburn Labs, Kerrits, The Jockey Club; Bronze Level Sponsors: Athletux, Canter Culture Riding Apparel, The Chronicle of the Horse, Devoucoux, D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis, Majyk Equipe, Retired Racehorse Project, Ride EquiSafe; Contributing Level Sponsors: CrossCountry App, Santa Cruz Animal Health, #WeRideTogether; and Prize Level Sponsors: Equilab, FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips, Gallagher’s Water, Horses 4 Your Consideration, LeMieux, Practical Horseman, Ride iQ, Sidelines Magazine, Werkman Hoofcare USA, and Whitfield Equine Nutrition.

About the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final

The $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final will take place at the 2025 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds at Galway Downs in Temecula, California on Aug. 27-29, 2025. Thanks to Adequan’s amazing support, the Adequan® USEA Advanced Final will bring together the country’s top riders to vie for $60,000 in prize money and the title of Adequan® Champion. To qualify for the $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final at the AEC in 2025, competitors will need to complete a minimum of two events without cross-country jump penalties at any USEA recognized Advanced horse trials, CCI4*-S, CCI4*-L , CCI5*-L, World Championships, or Olympic Games. Click here to learn more about the $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final.

About the Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships

The Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships, which debuted in 2014, is the capstone event for the USEA Area Adult Team Challenges, providing adults the chance to compete as a team and represent their Area of the country in a friendly and fun environment. Historically, adult riders had three regional Team Challenges in which to compete with fellow adults in a team environment, with the locations changing each year. In 2013, the USEA Adult Rider Coordinators voted to move to support Adult Team Challenges taking place in all 10 Areas across the country, with the finale being the ATC at the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds. Each Area can send up to eight teams from Starter Level to Modified Level to the ATC. Adult Riders know how to have a good time, and there is no doubt that they bring an increased level of excitement and camaraderie to the AEC! Click here to learn more about the USEA Adult Team Championships.

The USEA would like to thank ATC Title Sponsor, Adams Horse Supply, and contributing sponsors ARMA, The Chronicle of the Horse, Equilab, Kerrits, Marshall+Sterling, Nutrena Feeds, PulseVet, Schneiders Saddlery, Sidelines Magazine, and SmartPak for sponsoring the Adult Team Championships.