United States Eventing Association

Temecula, Calif.—March 26—The Galway Downs International Horse Trials got off to a cool morning start Thursday in Temecula Wine Country with dressage for the FEI divisions running until early afternoon in the tree-lined Sycamore Arena.

Things heated up literally and figuratively for afternoon show jumping in the atmospheric Grand Prix arena. Course designer Antonio Azevedo of Brazil set solid tests for the CCI1*-S through CCI4*-S divisions. Some contenders are preparing for the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event in April, some seek qualifying scores for the US Equestrian Open of Eventing and all are making the most of Galway Down’s ever-evolving showcase for equestrian sport in the West.

International divisions conclude Friday, and national divisions continue through Sunday.

CCI4*-S

Winning the CCI4*-L at last fall’s Galway Downs International was a major milestone in Karen O’Neal’s quest to prepare longtime partner Clooney 14 for Kentucky next month. Their 29.6 dressage outing and clean show jumping put Team Clooney another step closer to accomplishing this goal.

With dressage and show jumping staged today, Friday is full focus on Clayton Fredericks’ cross-country to see how the 12-year-old Westphalian’s Kentucky prep feels and to sort out the seven-horse field.

“He was so lovely, so rideable,” said O’Neal, who is based in Washington state. “It was one of those tests where you come out and feel like, ‘Wow, everything is really coming together!’”

She confessed to a habit of playing it safe in show jumping with the 17.1-hand Clooney. But not today. Where others took the first line in eight strides, O’Neal stepped on the gas for seven strides. “It was even a little bit tight. That took a little time away, without having to run, and he came right back to me afterward.”

O’Neal spent the winter in Temecula working with Galway Downs neighbor Tamie Smith and using the rideable Southern California weather to focus on Clooney’s conditioning. “So far, it really feels like I have more gas in the tank,” she said.

Tommy Greengard stands in second with That’s Me Z, now an experienced four-star campaigner, and third with Balladeer Kilbrickens Lad, who is tackling the level for the first time. “That is the best test for "Z" for where he’s at right now, and I felt like it was a really nice starting point for Balladeer at the level,” Greengard said.

For That’s Me Z, “Show jumping is a phase we continue to work on, so I was so happy to have a clear over those fences,” Greengard continued. Z added .4 time faults for a 30.5 going into cross-country, and Balladeer Kilbrickens Lad was double clear on a 34.0.

The Chocolate Horse Farm professional praised the atmosphere today at Galway Downs. “Both horses have competed abroad and back East,” Greengard explained. “So it’s really nice when they can come here and get a similar atmosphere.”

O’Neal and Greengard both look forward to good horse and rider tests tomorrow on cross-country. “We’ll have to be on task from fence one to the very last, and the field has a lot of very nice horses in it,” Greengard observed.

CCI3*-S

Even though dressage has always been a strong point for Lex D, the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood’s owner Audrey Sanborn is not resting on her laurels. The Santa Barbara-based young professional credited recent work with dressage coach Michael Linberg for helping them perfect this phase. The veteran pair’s 26.4 was the best of four FEI divisions today.

“I had Michael’s voice in my head through the test, and it helped me in specific areas, like getting 'Lex' back, getting my half-halts in and, generally, riding the test in a methodical way that best shows off Lex’s quality,” Sanborn said.

With a double-clear show jumping round, they lead the 15-horse division going into Friday’s cross-country conclusion. Fredericks’ cross-country course looks “very galloping and good for my big horse,” Sanborn added. They are planning their first 4*/Advanced run at Twin Rivers (Paso Robles, California) in April, and today’s performances bodes well for that step up.

Galway Downs-based professional Erin Kellerhouse and her own Bon Vivant GWF are second in this division, jumping double clear to finish on their 32.9 dressage effort. “He was very good, and we had a really clean test,” she said. “He may not score the highest because he isn’t the flashiest mover, but I was very happy with him.” Afternoon heat had no ill effect on the 11-year-old Oldenberg. “He is “Mr. Reliable’ in show jumping,” Kellerhouse shared. “He just goes in there and does his job.”

Two-time Olympian Lauren Billys Shady and Clearsky, an 11-year-old Holsteiner, downed one rail and sit third on a 35.4 in this division.

CCI2*-S

Kaylawna Smith-Cook and Brianna Halliday’s Coco Chanel are in the hunt for a second two-star win in their partnership of one year thanks to double-clear show jumping that kept them on their 28.1 lead after dressage. Smith-Cook and 8-year-old Holsteiner debuted at the international level by winning the CCI1*-S at this competition last year, and their elegant ascent continued today.

Northern California-professional Mickayla Howard and HHS Ontario, a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse, moved up from fourth after dressage to sit second on a 31.9. Montana professional Jen Moody and Million Star, a 9-year-old Holsteiner, are third on a 32.2.

CCI*-S

Six-year-old Prince Of Oolde followed last fall’s win of the Training/Modified Championship here with a 29.0 dressage score. “He’s a super consistent horse, especially for just being 6,” said Birtcil. The added challenges of the one-star were a perfect next step for the Dutch Warmblood and the big atmosphere is another plus for his development.

As the only pair in this division, a cross-country completion tomorrow will ensure a win, but Birtcil expects a good experience will be the best reward. “Going over the berm, doing the far water and running across more grass will be great tests for him,” she said.

Heather Buckland, of Australia, and Sara Leary Miller, of Virginia, officiated the FEI dressage. Leary Miller served as President of the Ground Jury for the one-star and three-star divisions, and Buckland served as President of the Ground Jury for the 2* and 4* divisions.

Friday Highlights

FEI cross country starts today at 8:30 a.m. with the CCI3*-S division. CCI4*-S follows at 10:30 a.m., then CCI2* at 11:45 a.m., and CCI1*-S at 2:15 p.m. FEI cross-country will be live streamed and can be found at this link: ClipMyHorse-TV.

Galway Downs also looks forward to welcoming guests for a special VIP Progressive Cross-Country Tour on Friday, featuring wine pouring from partners Danza del Sol Winery and Maisa de la Vinya Winery as well as a full breakfast and lunch while taking in the excitement that is cross-country day.

Quick Links

Live Scores: EventEntries.com

Live Stream: ClipMyHorse-TV (Cross-country on Friday, March 27)

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Official Photographer: Tina Fitch

Rider Videos: Equi-Motion