James Alliston jumps the penultimate fence with Jumbo's Jake in the Galway Downs Adequan USEA Gold Cup CIC3*. Leslie Mintz/USEA Photo
Despite being halfway across the world from his native Great Britain, James Alliston has proven that he is quite at home in California with back to back wins at Galway Downs’ premier events. Last November James rode India McEvoy’s 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Jumbo x Lakeland Princess) Jumbo’s Jake to the win at the CCI3* and he repeated the feat once again with a wire to wire lead at this weekend Adequan USEA Gold Cup CIC3*. In addition to taking home the blue ribbon, James also claimed the red with his and Chuck and Peggy Moore’s Tivoli. The ten-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding who was competing in his first CIC3* added only 7.6 time penalties to his dressage score to finish 10 points behind his stablemate.
“Jake was awesome in all three phases this weekend,” said James. “This was a perfect preparation for Rolex. The time was very tight and I think I had a bit of a gap in the scores so I could have gone a bit slower and still won, but I wanted to give him a bit of a fitness work before Rolex and he finished full of running. He was pretty strong going out there which is quite unlike him, so I think that bodes well for Rolex really.”
Entries open next week for the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event – don’t miss your chance to take a sneak peak at who is already preparing for the trip. Read more about your favorite horse and rider in this week’s featured riders installment!
James Alliston – Jumbo’s Jake & Parker
I write this second installment having just returned from Ram Tap in Fresno where I competed in my first show of the season. Jake and Parker did not compete at the show, but came along with me so that I could school them on the cross-country afterwards. After riding my youngsters in the show it was a real pleasure…
Third Place Sinead Halpin joins Chris to recap the weekend, Mary King in first and second place. It was a great weekend with some real twists; tune in right here…
Eventing Radio Episode 139 by Bit of Britain – Show Notes and Links:
