The Spring Horse Trials have traditionally been a quieter competition.

But, no more. The arrival of the Preliminary Challenge at Galway Downs this year spiced things up spectacularly.

Designed to help riders and horses step up to the next level of competition, the Preliminary Challenge debuted in 2009 at the Woodside Horse Park and moved south to Galway Downs this year.

The chance to test new skills, coupled with the social festivities during the exciting show jumping finalé, has made the Challenge a marquee event on the West Coast circuit.

“The weekend featured so many stories that echo the great things about eventing,” says Galway chief Robert Kellerhouse. “From recognizing our many volunteers with special prizes donated by our venue owner Ken Smith, to first-time Preliminary rider Jillian Newman winning the highest placed rider award in the Challenge class and James Alliston catch-riding a horse to victory in that same class.

“I’m so grateful to all the competitors, owners, sponsors and volunteers who came forward, and to our incredible team.”

Alliston All The Way

James Alliston thinks he’s competed in every Prelmin Challenge since moving to California in 2010. He’s always been a big fan– and not just because he won it this year on Coolrock Wacko Jacko and finished 2^nd with Call Me Rudi and 6^th on Cora in the Horse division.

“For professionals with young horses, it’s a nice benchmark of where they are at, and hopefully if they can go on and do that at a higher level, too.” Doing dressage in a full court, in front of two judges, “you get an idea of how good they are on the flat. And having show jumping after cross-country on the same day, it tells you a lot if they can come out bouncing after rigorous cross-country and experience that Grand Prix Arena atmosphere. It’s probably the first time they’ve experienced anything like that.”

Both Wacko Jacko and Call Me Rudi were catch rides for James. Alliston Eventing student and Area VI Young rider star Jillian Mader owns Jacko but couldn’t attend the Spring Horse Trials.

Rudi is owned and usually campaigned by James’ wife and training partner, Helen Alliston. (James and Helen were married on the Galway cross-country course a few years ago, btw.) Helen didn’t ride over the weekend because she was apprenticing to earn her judging credentials. That included sitting with judge Robyn Fisher in the box while James rode his three contenders in dressage on opening day.

“I feel like I’m getting the benefit of Helen’s apprenticeship as well because she’s been seeing everything through the judges’ eyes,” James comments. “It’s been very interesting what she says about how she scores things and what she looks for to merit high marks, or what they penalize.

“And, maybe Helen had a word in Robyn’s ear!” James joked. (He and Wacko Jacko earned a 29.4 in dressage, and Call Me Rudi, a 30.6, scores on which both horses finished.)

Generous cash and prizes are one of many reasons James appreciates Galway Downs events. Wacko Jacko’s win netted $5,000, a Haygain Hay Steamer and a VIP Table at the Galway Downs International in the fall. “It’s a little hard making a living off of riding event horses. We appreciate everything Robert (Kellerhouse) does and we hope other venues can follow suit. It really helps!”

Jillian Newman Earns an “Insane” Prize

Junior rider Jillian Newman had watched her coach, Erin Kellerhouse, compete at last year’s Preliminary Challenge and envisioned herself following those footsteps. However, her horse, Curraghgraigue Freeman, underwent colic shortly after Jillian got him and they weren’t able to start competing until 2022. It seemed a long shot they’d be up for the Preliminary’s level of competition this year.

Lo and behold, solid dressage and clears on cross-country and show jumping put them atop the Challenge’s Rider leaderboard in front of a rowdy VIP Pavilion crowd Saturday afternoon. “He’s been great in his training and I was so excited to have this opportunity before we go back East. I don’t think you can find events like the Challenge anywhere.”

Of the amped-up Saturday show jumping finalé, Jillian says, “I love riding when there is a lot of pressure. So having it in the late afternoon and going in reverse order of our standings – that was really exciting.”

Earning a Chiberta Enara saddle from Devoucoux was “just insane,” exclaims Jillian. “I can’t believe that’s a prize!” The Devoucoux rep has already been out to fit “Quincy” and Jillian for their saddle, which incorporates cutting-edge features to maximize horse and rider comfort and performance. The Challenge also netted the young rider $3,000 in cash.

The Preliminary Challenge experience is perfect prep for taking Quincy to Virginia Tech, where they’ll ride on the school’s eventing team. Jillian graduates from Great Oak High School on June 8. “I didn’t really want to leave California and my amazing trainer, Erin, but there’s not a lot of options to ride in college out here.”

The upside is having Jillian and Quincy representing the West Coast eventing scene so confidently during her time in the East.

A Challenge For All

It wasn’t just the Challenge competitors who appreciated the heightened atmosphere of the Spring Horse Trials. “Everyone jumped in the Grand Prix Arena and I’ll say that was a lot for some horses,” notes professional Gina Economou. “There were lots of new show jumping fences and the atmosphere was electric.”

Gina and her own Cooley By Design had a spin in the 4* Combined Test and her pro contemporaries had constructive outings in various divisions. Emilee Libby and Toksa topped the Advanced Combined Test, while Erin Kellerhouse won the Open Intermediate on Bon Vivant GWF and the Open Modified on her longtime partner Woodford Reserve. Allyson Hartenburg and Karel H were victors in Open Preliminary.