United States Eventing Association

Temecula, Calif.—March 27—The Galway Downs International Horse Trials FEI levels concluded Saturday with cross-country stirring up the standings. Australia’s Clayton Fredericks took over designing Galway’s courses, from Ian Stark, a few years ago and riders continue to praise him for making the most of Galway’s varied terrain and presenting new challenges each time out.

Under Fredericks, the tracks have started on different parts of the 242-acre property, gone in different directions and presented new angles, gallop stretches, and combinations. There’s always been a way through; the importance of riding the horse you have in the moment, and that was critical today.

CCI4*-S

Cross-country was a heartbreaker today for four pairs in this seven-horse field, but not for Tommy Greengard. Level newbie Balladeer Kilbrickens Lad, an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (A. Umonia 60 x Aubane Girl) owned by Patricia Culleton, emerged the winner on a 43.2. The more seasoned That’s Me Z was reserve after incurring 11 faults for knocking the frangible fence at 5 with a hind hoof.

“There was a lot for the rider to think about today,” Greengard said. “You had to be accurate with the lines and with how you presented your horse to the jump. Today, my two horses really rewarded that. I’m proud of my horses for showing their training and being up to the task.”

That’s Me Z was his usual superstar self, Greengard said. Other than the “unfortunate hind nick of the frangible early on, he was spectacular. He felt tried and true for the level.” Greengard and the 9-year-old Zangershiede gelding (Take A Chance On Me Z x Venetia) that he owns with Andrea Pfeiffer, will next go to the CCI4*-S in Kentucky.

“I couldn’t be more excited for Kilbrickens Lad,” Greengard continued of the four-star newcomer. “He’s well suited for a forward ride over cross-country. I usually joke that he either wins or we learn something.” Today it was a win.

“I’m not sure what’s next for Kilbrickens Lad, but we’ll figure something out!”

Megan McIver and Igor B finished third as the final pair to complete today’s track. They’re prepping for the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S in Kentucky and McIver considered this week’s Galway run ideal. Their 25.2 time penalties were part of a plan to “just have a good run” and “knock the rust off.”

In their second year together, McIver feels “like he is my horse now—like I know how to give him the right ride, versus last year which had a lot of guess work.” She and the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood “are on the same page and ready to do it!”

The overnight leaders, Karen O’Neal and Clooney 14, are preparing for a Kentucky CCI5*-L debut but retired on course at the 11AB Corner Doubles. It wasn’t the fence that got them, it was a broken breast collar flapping in the 12-year-old Westphalian’s face on approach. O’Neal retired there and now plans a final tune-up at Twin Rivers in Paso Robles in a few weeks.

There were other heartbreaks today. Gina Economu and Cooley By Design were back to the blue numbers at long last. They sailed through the challenging track only to have a glitch and fall at 24A of the 25-fence, 38-effort course.

CCI3*-S

Riding two horses she’s brought along since there were 4-year-olds, Galway Downs-based Erin Kellerhouse won the level with Bon Vivant GWF and finished third with Ringwood Adios Amigo, on a 35.3 and a 40.9, respectively. “It’s super rewarding with both of these horses and it’s so nice to head out there with horses that you know so well, and they know me.”

Eleven-year-old Bon Vivant, an Oldenburg/Hanoverian gelding (Banderas x Power Point) Kellerhouse owns, has performed consistently well at the level, and Amigo is excelling as Kellerhouse has learned to trust him and let him go.

“Amigo wants to land and gallop with a loop in the rein,” Kellerhouse explained. “He’s super fast and I’m learning that I can trust him.” Amigo was the only horse to make the cross-country optimum time of 6:02 (by one second), thus breaking a tie with Kaylawna Smith-Cook and Dealas, who finished fourth.

Kellerhouse had special praise for the course’s different looks and challenges. “I love how Clayton and Ali [Alessandra Allen-Shinn] and Rob [Mobley] work so that every time you do a course here, it’s totally different. That’s not normal. And it makes you feel like you can keep going to events here.”

She’s learned to trust Fredericks, too. “At first, I was a little uncomfortable with his distances, angles, and the very open feeling. But the courses always ride really well, so I’m learning to trust him, too!”

Time faults dropped Lex D out of the lead into second, but his owner Audrey Sanborn was thrilled with the effort. “Everything felt great and we actually went pretty fast for us!” The 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood feels “super confident, and that’s what’s most important to me. The whole course was actually a lot of fun!”

CCI2*-S

Mickayla Howard and HH Ontario have had a successful partnership for several years, but Howard only recently secured an FEI passport for the 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse of unrecorded breeding. “I decided he’s going to get on the FEI track," she said. They’re off to a good start, taking over the lead with only 1.2 cross-country time penalties, after sitting second following dressage and show jumping. They finished on a 33.1.

“He’s Mr. Consistent,” Howard explained. “He’s a tryer and always obedient. If there’s mistakes, they are usually mine.” With dressage and show jumping out of the way Thursday, Howard loved being able to focus on cross-country. “With some horses, you can try to be a little more competitive on cross-country because of that focus.”

Andrea Baxter and Estrella Equestrian’s Camelot PJ moved from seventh after dressage to second after cross-country. She and the 6-year-old Hanoverian finished on a 36.8. Young rider Anya Ostrovsky and her own Mon Copain finished third on a 37.9.

CCI1*-S

Six-year-old Prince of Oolde, a Dutch Warmblood gelding (Ibolensky x Aurora J) owned by Cellar Farm Corp., was undaunted by the considerable new challenges presented in today’s cross-country outing. Known for her excellence with young horses, Birtcil brought “Noodles” home one second under the time to stick on their 33.0 score. They were the only one-star pair, earning the title and the valuable experience.

Friday Highlights

Local residents enjoyed VIP treatment, front-row seats and expert commentary during CCI3* and CCI4* cross-country today. Two-time Olympian Lauren Billys Shady and Eventing Nation’s Sally Spickard shared insights as competitors tackled some of the course’s most exciting challenges. Gourmet breakfast and lunch in the VIP Pavillon bookended the action and winery partners, Danza del Sol and Masia de la Vinya, enhanced the experience with their wines and champagnes. Attendees expressed delight at discovering high level equestrian sport in their own backyard.

Quick Links

Live Scores: EventEntries.com

Official Photographer: Tina Fitch

Rider Videos: Equi-Motion