Alliston, who lives in Castro Valley, Calif., finished faultlessly aboard India McEvoy’s 13-year-old Irish Sporthorse, taking over the top spot after dressage leaders Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM suffered a refusal at fence 23, the PRO Water Complex, and second-placed pair Michael Pollard and Jude’s Law retired at fence 5. Alliston also finished faultlessly on his first mount, Parker II, who stands ninth with a 61.6.
“It’s a beautiful course,” said Alliston, 27. “It rewards forward riding. I suspect most of the mistakes were from people riding a bit backward. If you’re committed and you’re brave, the horse will be rewarded they come out of it like lions.
The British native has been based in California for two years, but his parents have come from England this weekend to cheer for him. ”I think they’re my lucky charm maybe I should fly them out more often, he said with a laugh.
Nate Chambers moved in to second with another faultless round was on Rolling Stone II (49.2). Chambers is one of the eight East Coast rider riders, plus three foreign riders, who journeyed to Galway Downs for CCI3*.
“For me, the course rode exactly the way I thought it would, but it was hard,” said Chambers, 24, of Vienna, Va. “There were some fences that were meant to terrify the riders and some that were meant to terrify the horse, but they weren’t the same fences. I thought it was a great test.
“This was the biggest test I and “Rolly” have ever seen,” he continued. “I thought this was actually a little bit tougher than the [Fair Hill CCI3* in Maryland]. But the footing there is tougher, so they were an even match. On a horse I wasn’t as familiar with, I don’t if I would have gotten it done.”
Jolie Wentworth, Martinez, Calif., has claimed third place on GoodKnight (53.6)
“He was awesome so, so amazing,” said Wentworth, 30. “I don’t think there was any one thing he’s just really showed a lot of maturity and growth over the last year that all came together today. He got a little tired at the end, but he just kept trying for me. That was probably the highlight.”
In the CCI2*, dressage co-leaders Amber Levine and Oz Poof Of Purchase finished faultlessly to take complete control of the lead (47.8), as co-leaders Max McManamy and Project Runway gathered 2.0 time penalties to drop to third (49.8). Canada’s Hawley Bennett-Awad and Splendorofthesun also jumped faultlessly to remain in second (49.7).
“I got really lucky to have such a great ride on such a great horse,” said Levine, 23.
Levine has only been riding “Poof” for two months, but the pair looked liked old friends as they stormed around the course. The 16-year-old Anglo-Arab gelding finished second in the classic-format CCI1* at Galway Downs last year. Owner Teresa Groesbeck bred Poof, as well as his full brother Oz The Tin Man, also competing in the CCI2* with daughter Kathryn Groesbeck.
The total prize money this year is $33,000, with a $21,000 purse in the CCI3*.
Land Rover, the Professional Riders Organization, Del Mar Eventing and Professional’s Choice are the presenting sponsors of the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event.
Other generous sponsors of the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event include: Advanced Protection Formula by Auburn Laboratories Inc., Big Horse Feed, California Horse Trader, Charles Owen, CWD Saddlery, Doug Hannum Equine Therapy, Embassy Suites Hotel, Equine Comfort Products, Equine Insurance of California, Finish Line Products, MDBarnmaster, Ride On Video, Riding’s Publications Inc., Smartpak Equine, Sunsprite Warmbloods and Voltaire Design.
A portion of the general admission and patron’s ticket revenue at Galway Downs will benefit Operation Homefront, the official charitable partner of the Professional Riders Organization Tour and of Galway Downs.
The mission of Operation Homefront is to provide emergency financial and other assistance to the families of our nation’s service members. Since its founding in 2002, Operation Homefront has provided more than $92 million to programs that benefit military families.
General admission for the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event is $8 per day in advance, $10 at the gate. Go to www.galwaydowns.com.
For more information on the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event, visit www.galwaydowns.com or call 951-303-0405. To learn more about eventing, visit the U.S. Eventing Association’s website (www.useventing.com).