United States Eventing Association

Tamie Smith Leads Three of Four Divisions at Galway Downs International

Temecula, Calif.—March 28—Riding a high from the latest milestone in Galway Downs’ path to hosting LA28 Olympic equestrian competition, several of the event’s 50 international competitors tried to put themselves on that same path today.

Today, the Los Angeles City Council formally approved the LA28 Organizing Committee’s proposal that six venues outside the city limits host competitions in various sports—including Galway Downs as host of Equestrian and Para-Equestrian events. A final approval from the International Olympic Committee is expected in early April and will fully finalize the plan.

Even for those not on an Olympic path, there’s plenty at stake at Galway Downs International this weekend. Successful outings can earn both qualification and experience for the USEA’s American Eventing Championships, presented by Nutrena Feeds, which will take place in California at Galway Downs this August 26-30. This weekend’s CCI4*-S is also a qualifier for the US Open of Eventing, set for Morven Park in Virginia in October.

The CCI Short format competitions for two-star, three-star, and four-star divisions held dressage and show jumping today, with the cross-country decider set for Saturday. The CCI1*-S division took place Thursday evening and concludes with Saturday’s cross-country.

CCI4*-S: Smith Sails to Lead

Tamie Smith and Kynan (Envoy x Danieta), the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by the Kynan Syndicate LLC, were fault free over new course designer Brody Robertson’s show jumping track to stick on a 28.1 dressage score from judges Marilyn Payne and Sukhdev Rathore. They’ll head out on cross-country in the lead— but not by a lot.

Karen O’Neal and Annika Asling's Clooney 14, an 11-year-old Westphalian gelding (Captain Jack x Zauberfee), were also clear to stay on their 30.1 effort. Megan McIver and her own 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Igor B (Vittorio x Erica B) had just 1.4 time faults to sit in third on a 32.4.

Smith said Kynan “came out this year as a different horse. This sport is always a progression— for all the horses— and Kynan is mentally and physically stronger this year.”

Working with Australian show jumper and former eventer Scott Keach has been a big help, Smith added. “I am a student of the sport and always trying to get better with all my horses.”

O’Neal had high praise for the show jumping course. “I come from jumpers, so I love the turns. There were fun, different elements with the outside bending lines, and the triple bar to two uprights. It walked forward and rode forward, and I loved it.”

Cross-country, designed by Galway Downs veteran Clayton Fredericks, “has plenty of places where I’ll need to sit up and ride and I am more confident about doing that after today’s course," O'Neal continued.

“This is a big day for me,” O’Neal shared. An incident while jogging another horse last fall resulting in a broken hip, a hip replacement and months of rehab. During that stretch, Clooney had time off, so having rider and horse back in form is a thrilling step, said the Washington-based professional. A good day tomorrow will help them achieve a major goal of qualifying for the US Open of Eventing.

CCI3*-S: Smith and Lillet 3 Blaze the Trail

This division’s top three after dressage stayed the same after show jumping as Tamie Smith and Lillet 3 lead on their dressage score of 25.4. Tommy Greengard and his own Joshuay MBF, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Foreign Affair x Fernacchy MBF), are hot on their heels with a 26, and Erin Kellerhouse rode Erin Kellerhouse's Bon Vivant GWF, a 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Banderas x Power Point), to the third place position with a 28.3.

Smith and the relatively new ride continue a promising partnership highlighted by winning the Galway Downs Fall International CCI3*-L here last year. The elegant mare is a 9-year-old Holsteiner (Livello x Princess L) owned by rising star young rider Molly Duda. They’ve gone from strength to strength and Smith plans to step her up to CCI4*-S at Twin Rivers Ranch in April.

Tommy Greengard is another exhibitor over the moon about his horse, in this case his own “Josh.” It’s their first outing since finishing as reserve national champion in the USEF CCI4*-L Championships in the fall of 2023, Greengard and Josh’s mutual debut at the level. Josh had a minor injury last spring. Meanwhile, Greengard spent several months competing in Europe and “adding new tools to our toolbox and gaining so much more experience and understanding.”

Josh’s comeback could not have gone better. “He is a through and through professional and he never fails to be a showman,” Greengard said. “He has returned so much stronger because we worked on his strength and fitness more than we ever have.”

CCI2*-S: Smith Has Top Two Spots

Smith dominates another division so far, leading this 16-entry field after two phases. Her leader is Kareena K (Cash and Carry x Namur III), a 9-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by David, Donna, and Julianna Guarglia, whose flawless show jumping added nothing to their 23.2 dressage score from judges Marilyn Payne and Christel Carlson.

With Solaguayre Cantata (Canturo x Solaguayre Clarita), Smith is second on a 27.4. Like Kareena K, the 7-year-old Argentine Thoroughbred is owned by longtime supporter Julianne Guariglia. Both are “such quality mares,” Smith said. “They are very good on the flat and have amazing gallops, so I’m really excited for tomorrow.”

Having just completed a walk of all four international cross-country courses, Smith described the routes as full of fair challenges and big questions. Smooth rounds will the goal for all her contenders, she said.

Amber Birtcil and Cellar Farm Corp's Milagro, an 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Good Fellow VDL x Easter Uno M), head out on Saturday cross-country in third-standing 28.5.

CCI1*-S: Kaylawna Smith-Cook Leads

Kaylawna Smith-Cook kept the division leads in the family by riding Coco Chanel (Cascadello I x U-lotti), a 7-year-old Holsteiner mare who Smith-Cook co-owns with Brianna Halliday. Asia Vedder and Vedder Equine LLC's 7-year-old Zangersheide gelding Litmanen Z (Levisto x Wies Avanta) follow them, with Megan McIver and her own Storm Dino (Colandro x Petal), a 6-year-old Irish Sport Horse, in third before cross-country.

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