United States Eventing Association

Paso Robles, Calif.—Sept. 21— HMR Rolan continued his rapid rise to becoming one of eventing’s elite by winning his four-star debut, giving James Alliston his sixth straight victory in CCI4*-S events held at Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, California, with five different horses. Tamie Smith won the CCI3*-S with Lillet 3 and the CCI2*-S with Solaguayre Cantata, and Bec Braitling and MBF Braxy V took the CCI1*‑S to round out the FEI levels at the 2025 Twin Rivers Fall International.

In less than a year, “Rolan” has won the CCI2*-L at The Eventing Championships at Galway Downs, been reserve champion in his three-star debut in the CCI3*-L at The Event at Rebecca Farm, and won the Intermediate national championship at the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds.

For his first four-star in the Twin Rivers Fall International, the 9-year-old bay gelding (Tolan R x Aldatus Diamond) registered with the Warmblood Studbook of Ireland and owned by Anna Nicholas had the second-best dressage score of 31.6, added one rail and one second of time on William Robertson’s show jumping course, and took the victory by being the only pair to finish inside the optimum time on Morgan Rowsell’s cross-country course.

“I was thrilled,” Alliston said. “The flying changes in the dressage are new to them, but he did two really nice changes. He’s got a really good mind in the dressage—quite relaxed, so that was awesome. He had a pole down in the show jumping, but he jumped well. Then, the cross-country, he was fantastic. He felt confident with the bigger jumps, and the harder technicality didn’t seem to faze him too much. I think it’s a great sign for the future with him. He definitely looks like a really talented upper-level horse.”

Igor B and Megan McIver took second with clear jumping and just adding time penalties. It was the best finish in five events at the level for the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Vittorio x Erica B) that have come with McIver in the United States and with Kristina Hall-Jackson in Great Britain.

“‘Rupert’ was just exceptional again,” McIver said. “I feel like our partnership is getting better and better each run we have. It is always a challenge to feel like you can go fast on a horse you don’t entirely know, but it’s starting to feel like he is mine and I was able to cruise along quite a bit faster than usual. I am starting to look for inside lines that I was playing safer before, and he just keeps proving to me that he is ready for more and more.”

Molly Duda and the Irish Sport Horse gelding Carlingford Hes A Clover (Polanski x Fourleaf Clover) were third, also with zero jump penalties. The top-three finishers are being pointed to the CCI4*-S at the Woodside Fall International that will serve as the final of 20 qualifiers in the new US Equestrian Open Eventing Series. With the victory, Alliston moved up from fifth to third in the series standings.

Alliston has now swept the two CCI4*-S competitions held annually at Twin Rivers for each year since 2023, with Rolan joining the honor roll that includes Nemesis from the 2023 Twin Rivers Spring International, Karma from 2023 Fall, Paper Jam from 2024 Spring, Cora from 2024 Fall, and Karma from 2025 Spring. When Karma won at the 2023 Fall International, Rolan was competing at the Training level in just his second career USEA-recognized event.

In the CCI3*-S, Smith was first with Lillet 3 (S.I.E.C. Livello x Princess L) and third with Sumas Tina Turner (Quantino x Sumas Fanny Brice). Both are precocious 9-year-old mares. “Lillet,” a Holsteiner owned by Molly Duda, finished on her dressage score of 30.1. Having won the CCI4*-L at Rebecca Farm this year, she’s entered to return to the four-star level at Woodside next month, with Smith adding that the CCI4*-L at Galway would be the goal after that.

Bon Vivant GWF (Banderas x Power Point) and Erin Kellerhouse, winners of the CCI3*-S at this event in 2023 as well as at the 2025 Twin Rivers Spring International, finished second on their dressage score of 30.8. “Pierre” is entered for his first event on the East Coast in the CCI3*-L at the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill. Kellerhouse also has Ringwood Adios Amigo (Adieu Z x Ringwood Operetta) entered in Maryland, and they were fifth at Twin Rivers.

“The weekend went really well for both horses,” she said. “Pierre’s dressage overall was strong, but he had a few fussy moments that kept him out of the 20s. ‘Amigo’’s test was hugely improved in the trot work, thanks to Ian Stark’s help last week, but the canter is still a work in progress. Both made easy work of the show jumping and cross-country and felt fit and happy. The cross-country was super fun with a lot of new questions, which were greatly appreciated with going into something completely new at Fair Hill.”

Sumas Tina Turner is also scheduled to return east for the CCI3*-S at the Morven Park International. The well-traveled Irish Sport Horse mare owned by Julianne Guariglia has competed in FEI events in Ireland, Great Britain, France, Italy, and in the United States in California, Montana, South Carolina, and Maryland.

“‘Lillet’ and ‘Tina’ finished first and third, battling each other for top honors,” Smith said. “Tina’s exuberance on cross-country required me to adjust, focusing on relaxation to let her shine.”

Smith has Kynan (Envoy x Danieta) entered in Morven’s CCI4*-L, which will serve as the $200,000 US Equestrian Open Eventing Final.

“Kynan was exceptional,” she said. “Despite a pilot error that resulted in us jumping the wide part of the corner, he showed his professionalism and maturity, and he was quick and rideable.”

The Kentucky five-star heroine also won the CCI2*-S at Twin Rivers with Guariglia’s Solaguayre Cantata (Canturo x Solaguyare Clarita) on their dressage score 29.9. They were reserve champions in their FEI debuts in the CCI1*-S at this event last year.

“Solaguayre Cantata continues to impress,” Smith said. “Having produced her since she was 3, it’s incredibly rewarding to see her maturity and talent now fully aligned.”

The 8-year-old Argentine-bred mare has now been first or second in five FEI events at the one- and two-star levels–so another promising mare in Smith’s stable.

“The horses delivered outstanding performances this weekend, and I feel fortunate to be partnered with such incredible athletes,” she said. “It’s the result of many years of hard work, and while the schedule and heat were demanding, our team came home with impressive results. I am grateful to my team, owners, and supporters. Watching these horses learn, grow, and deliver at this level makes the years of dedication truly worthwhile.”

This year’s CCI1*-S victory went to MBF Braxy V and Bec Braitling in the FEI debut for the 6-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Andrea Baxter.

“What a good boy!” Braitling said. “He’s such an exciting 6-year-old. I’ve been working really hard on the show jumping because he can get a bit tight in there in the atmosphere, especially showing at home, so I’m beyond thrilled with the result. He’s super on the flat and fast across the country, too. Very proud to be producing this lovely young horse.”

The final USEA-recognized event at Twin Rivers Ranch in 2025 will be the USEA YEH West Coast Championships & Last Chance Qualifier from Oct. 23-25. The YEH qualifiers that Twin Rivers hosted at the Fall International went to Ramino and Amber Birtcil (Comme Il Faut x Texana II) for the 4-year-olds and Petar D (Qatar Ter Saleghem x Ereda M) and Mickayla Howard for the 5-year-olds. Then, the Halloween Derby and Combined Test on Oct. 26 will wrap up the year of eventing at Twin Rivers Ranch.

The full list of winners from the 2025 Twin Rivers Fall International are as follows:

• CCI4*-S: James Alliston and HMR Rolan (36.0)
• CCI3*-S: Tamie Smith and Lillet 3 (30.1)
• CCI2*-S: Tamie Smith and Solaguayre Cantata (29.9)
• CCI1*-S: Bec Braitling and MBF Braxy V (34.2)
• Open Intermediate: Alanna Bowie and Oshianne (45.6)
• Open Preliminary: Helen Alliston and Ebay (25.7)
• Open Modified: James Alliston and Diassini (23.8)
• Open Training: Lauren Bebb and Crafty Don (31.7)
• Sr. Training Rider: Lisa Peecook and SZ Raudo (31.3)
• Open Novice: Rebecca Braitling and Solaguayre Dina (28.3)
• Sr. Novice Rider: Jeanne Carley and Shannondale Fionn (24.2)
• Jr. Novice Rider: Emma de Vos Benavente and HK Corinthian (30.6)
• Open Beginner Novice: Rebecca Braitling and Pippa of Solstice (28.4)
• Sr. Beginner Novice Rider: Christine Eckhaus and Barony (30.6)
• Jr. Beginner Novice Rider: Mia Budelli and Frankly Speaking (26.9)
• Open Starter: Allyson Hartenburg and MBF Longford (23.3)
• Starter Rider: Tami Wallace and Mikey (24.0)

Helpful Links: Results | Twin Rivers Website | U.S. Equestrian Open