Tamie Smith Leads Three of Four Divisions at 2025 Galway Downs International Horse Trials

Dominant performances from Tamie Smith and her horses in the first two phases set the stage for an exciting finish at Galway Downs.

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TEMECULA, California, March 28, 2025 – 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 this weekend. Successful outings can earn both qualification and experience for the U.S. Eventing Association’s American Eventing Championships. They’ll be held in California for the first time ever, at Galway Downs from August 26-30. This weekend’s CCI4*-S is also a qualifier for the US Equestrian Open of Eventing, set to take place at Morven Park in Virginia in October.

The CCI Short format competitions for 2*, 3*, and 4* divisions held dressage and show jumping today, with the cross-country decider set for Saturday. The CCI1* division took place Thursday evening and concludes with Saturday’s cross-country.

Tamie Smith continues her reign in the realm, leading the three highest divisions, while her daughter Kaylawna Smith-Cook leads the 1*.

**CCI4*-S: Smith Sails to Lead**

Tamie Smith and Kynan remain in the lead on their dressage score of 28.1 after the show-jumping phase at Galway Downs. — Tamie Smith and Kynan remain in the lead on their dressage score of 28.1 after the show-jumping phase. ©Sally Spickard

Smith and Kynan, 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood, 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 Clooney 14, an 11-year-old Westphalian, were also clear to stay on their 30.1 effort. Megan McIver and Igor B had just 1.4 time faults to stand 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,” said O’Neal.

Regardless of how tomorrow goes, “This is a big day for me,” O’Neal shared. An incident while jogging another horse last fall resulted 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 Equestrian Open of Eventing.

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

Tamie Smith and Lillet 3 lead the Galway Downs CCI3*-S. — Tamie Smith and Lillet 3 lead the CCI3*-S. ©Sally Spickard

This division’s top three after dressage stayed the same after show jumping as Smith and Lillet 3 lead on a 25.4 from Marilyn Payne. Tommy Greengard and Joshuay MBF, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood, are hot on their heels with a 26.0, and Erin Kellerhouse and Bon Vivant GWF, a 10-year-old Oldenburg, are third with a 28.3.

Smith and the relatively new ride continue a promising partnership highlighted by winning the Fall International CCI3*-L here last year. The elegant mare is a 9-year-old Holsteiner 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 National Championship 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**

Tamie Smith and Kareena K lead the Galway Downs CCI2*-S. — Tamie Smith and Kareena K lead the CCI2*-S. ©Tina Fitch

Smith dominates another division so far, leading this 16-entry field after two phases. Her leader is Kareena K, a 9-year-old Holsteiner mare, whose flawless show jumping added nothing to their 23.2 dressage score from judges Marilyn Payne and Christel Carlson.

With Solaguayre Cantata, Smith is second on a 27.4. Like Kareena K, the 7-year-old Argentine Thoroughbred is owned by longtime supporter Julianne Guariglia. And 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.”

After walking 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 Milagro, an 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood, head out on Saturday’s cross country in third on a 28.5.

**CCI1*-S: Kaylawna Smith-Cook Leads**

Kaylawna Smith-Cook and Coco Chanel sit in first place on the CCI1*-S leaderboard at Galway Downs. — Kaylawna Smith-Cook and Coco Chanel sit in first place on the CCI1*-S leaderboard. ©Tina Fitch

Kaylawna Smith-Cook kept the division leads in the family by riding Coco Chanel, a 7-year-old Holsteiner. Asia Vedder and Litmanen Z, a 7-year-old Zangersheide, follow them in secound place. Megan McIver and Storm Dino, a 6-year-old Irish Sport Horse, are in third heading into the cross-country phase.

Tune in for Saturday’s Cross Country

The International Horse Trials action at Galway Downs continues Saturday, with CCI1*-S cross-country starting at 8:30 a.m.

CCI3*-S and CCI4*-S cross-country will be livestreamed on EQUESTRIAN+ starting at 1:30 p.m. PST. If you can’t make it out, commentators Frankie Thieriot and Spencer Sturmey of Great Britian bring the action and their expertise to you!

Subscribe to EQUESTRIAN+ to catch every moment of the action!

More Information

Browse the full Galway Downs International Horse Trials competition schedule here.

Check out ride times here as well as orders of go here.

View results here.

Thanks to Kent Nutrition Group and Blue Seal for our coverage of the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, including lead-up events, rider interviews, competition reports, horse spotlights, photos, videos and more!