United States Eventing Association

Temecula, Calif.—Aug. 29—The $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final took to the cross-country track today at Galway Downs in beautiful Southern California. Riders tackled Clayton Fredericks’ expertly designed course, resulting in a few shakeups to the championship leaderboard as the competition heads into Saturday evening’s highly anticipated show jumping finale.

Tommy Greengard (Malibu, California) and That’s Me Z held onto their overnight lead, as the fastest trip of the division, picking up just 7.2 time penalties. They’ll head into tomorrow’s final day with a 36.8 and a sizeable cushion over second-placed Karen O’Neal and Clooney 14.

Greengard was quick to praise the 8-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Take A Chance On Me Z x Venetia), owned by himself and Andrea Pfeiffer. “We're so proud of him,” he said with a smile. “You know, we've been joking. It's his first Advanced. He's been going at the four-star level, but this is his first Advanced!”

He also extended gratitude to the team behind the cross-country track. “Clayton Fredricks always does a beautiful job with the tracks out here. He and his team really make a huge effort to make sure the tracks are horse-friendly, well presented, and the ground is good. Thank you to [organizer] Robert [Kellerhouse] and Clayton and their whole team, because a lot of work went into this place to make it a good August in Temecula. So, that was the biggest thing that we were super appreciative of.”

Though heading into the final phase with the lead, Greengard remains grounded. “Tomorrow's another day, and we'll take it as we can. But we're just so proud of the horse, and he's only 8, and, you know, we'll take it one day at a time.”

North Bend, Washington’s Karen O’Neal and Clooney 14 moved up from third to take the runner-up position after accumulating 22.8 time penalties to finish their day on 53.1.

O’Neal, riding Annika Asling’s 11-year-old Westphalian gelding (Captain Jack x Zauberfee), was thrilled with the performance. “It felt amazing. He took me to everything. I was braver. I even left a stride out in one of my lines, which is not like me at all,” she said. “The balance was there. He listened; he was straight as he's ever been. He can get a little crooked sometimes, but he was just straight and going. He felt focused and responsive, and all the training paid off.”

Looking ahead to the final phase, O’Neal is optimistic about their chances in the show jumping. “He is usually quite good. That used to be our spooky phase. He’s a good boy out there if I ride to plan.”

Less than a point behind O’Neal is Molly Duda (Menlo Park, California) and her own 16-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding Disco Traveler (Donatelli x Cadence). They incurred 11 penalties after knocking a frangible pin at fence 15 and picked up 8 time penalties to head into show jumping with a 54.0.

Based with Tamie Smith just around the corner from Galway Downs, Duda was glad to compete at her “home venue,” even with the added pressure of a championship atmosphere. “It's good. I mean, I think it feels very comfortable and familiar being here. But of course, with it being a championship, there's added pressure, and the courses were quite strong. Those were serious championship courses. Definitely no joke!”

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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.