United States Eventing Association

Counting split divisions, there are 35 classes running at The Event at Rebecca Farm this week, but it was the CCI4*-S dressage that riveted everybody’s attention on Friday.

That’s when Mai Baum and Tamie Smith earned a 22 score to lead the division by over 10 points. The numbers, however, tell only tell a sliver of the world-renowned pair’s story.

Mai Baum acted more the 19-year-old boy than the 19-year-old horse since arriving at The Event from his Southern California home. Smith was slightly worried how he’ll do without a show spotlight in the future, but no worries were evident in their fluid, fabulous, floating masterclass. True to form, Mai Baum exceeded the moment’s high expectations.

“Obviously he doesn’t know this is his last event and he doesn’t look like it should have been,” said Smith. She struggled with emotions. “I’m speechless. He’s in a class of his own and it’s been a privilege to ride him.”

Owned by the Ahearn and Markell family, “Lexus” has a legacy that goes beyond his remarkable competitive resume. “He’s helped me with all my horses,” Smith explained. “He taught me how to ride on the flat. He taught me about self-carriage, power, uphill balance and cadence. He’s next level with all of that,” said Smith, who, perhaps presciently, named her business Next Level Eventing well before Lexus came into her life.

Mai Baum will retire Sunday afternoon (now scheduled for after the CCI4*-L division), but there’s plenty to do before that. “We’ve done some jumping shows, but he hasn’t evented since Maryland. I expect him to be a bit strong and cheeky. Most of all, he’ll be happy to be out there on cross-country.”

“It was a windshield wiper moment,” said Ground Jury member Bea DiGrazia (USA) of the tears that fell while judging Mai Baum’s last test. Fellow judges Helen Christie (NZL) and Jane Hamlin (USA) agreed with that assessment and with each other’s evaluation of the performance.

“It was a huge moment and really well done,” DiGrazia continued. “There was hardly a full point difference in our scores.” She recalled Mai Baum’s “presence and pizazz” – even during his “wiggly” days. Christie described him as always a horse who would “catch your eye if you saw him across a field. He’s got that star quality.” And Hamlin recalled a fellow 2019 Pan Am Games judge sighing after Mai Baum’s test – “Wasn’t that beautiful?”

One of the many horses to benefit from Mai Baum’s legacy is Jutopia, normally the ride of Smith’s talented student Molly Duda. Jutopia is 2^nd on a 32.9 in the CCI4*-S. Cooler, windier and spookier conditions contributed to some score-costly bobbles on Thursday, but otherwise Smith was happy with the mare’s performance.

Tommy Greengard and That’s Me Z carried on their World Sport Horse Breeding Federation Young Horse Championships fame from last fall. Their 34.2 puts them 3^rd doing into cross-country on Saturday.

CCI4*-S pairs start cross-country at 12:50 p.m. Mountain time Saturday.

Smith Atop the CCI4*-L, Too.

Smith didn’t have much time to absorb Mai Baum’s latest magical moment. Another horse owned by student Molly Duda, Lillet 3, was waiting for her close-up in her CCI4*-L debut. The elegant mare is intended as a long-term horse for Smith and their division-leading 28.1 bodes a bright future. “She tries so hard and is so intelligent,” Smith said. “When you move like her and have that kind of brain, there’s a lot to work with.”

Chris Talley and FE Marco Polo are 2^nd, marking the Virginia-based professional as one to watch in his own new business, C Talley Equestrian. He was thrilled with their 32.2 start yesterday, which he attributed to the 9-year-old horse’s success in containing his energy.

He’ll need that energy on cross-country. “Everywhere you look it’s stunning,” said Talley of Jay Hambly’s long 4*-Long course. “The water at the beginning of the course is intense, and the new bank (at 21AB), the roller coaster and the moose will all be good challenges,” Talley predicted.

Smith sits in 3^rd with Kynan on a 32.9. Going first in the 10-horse division on Thursday, Kynan gave in to some distractions outside the court before settling into “one of his best tests ever,” Smith said. “He came back to me after those bobbles and was so through and strong. I was very happy with him.”

CCI4*-L pairs start cross-country at 11:25 a.m. Mountain time Saturday.

Pelligrini Atop the CCI3*-L

Meg Pellegrini’s place atop the dressage standings with Falcon Crown Z, on a 27.7, was all the sweeter coming after a rough Thursday with her second horse in the division, Cooley Wish Upon A Star. Riding first in the 12-horse class yesterday, Pellegrini “made some errors and let the pressure bubble over into some costly mistakes.”

With the support of her coach Will Coleman and his team, the 21-year-old Pellegrini turned the incident into “a way to light me up for today.” She spent time with coach and nervous system practitioner Natalie Hummel to reset her focus and be ready to respond positively in the moment. Like many horses, Falcon found the Arena 1 atmosphere a little spooky, so that came in handy in a few spots. “But overall it was probably one of our best tests.”

Pellegrini felt the benefits of strength building and a varied conditioning program paying off in Falcon’s performance. “I could feel him grow taller coming down centerline and he really had a great attitude.”

California-based international rider James Alliston sits second with HRM Rolan on a 28.9. The 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse was 2^nd in the CCI2*-L here last year and has had consistently strong outings over the past year. Lucienne Bellissimo and Qatar M are 3^rd on a 30.1, followed closely by several top professionals on horses who could upset the apple cart after cross-country.

CCI3*-L pairs start cross-country at 10:10 a.m. Mountain time Saturday

Audrey Sanborn Leads the CCI3*-S

Young California professional Audrey Sanborn and her own Lex D lead 21 pairs in this division, on a 29.2. Sanborn’s three-year partnership with Lex D has progressed steadily. Competing here in the same division last year contributed to a “really professional” test today, said the longtime student of international rider Bec Braitling. “He showed off all is special moves, kept his cool and listened.”

As for tomorrow’s cross-country, Sanborn echoes the excitement many riders express about the adventure and development opportunities that await. “It has technical spots for sure. We’ll have to go fast to make the time, but I like how the designer set it up. I think it will ride well and it should be exciting.”

Idaho-based professional Stephanie Goodman and Elwenda DP are 2^nd on a 30.7. This pair were the wire-to-wire CCI2*-L winners here last year and the mare has racked up many top placings in the interim. Sitting in 3^rdon a 31.1 are Tommy Greengard and Balladeer Kilbrickens Lad.

CCI3*-S pairs start cross-country at 8:30 a.m. Mountain time Saturday

Gabriella Ringer leads the CCI2*-L

“Always!” answered coach James Alliston when asked how often his student, Gabriella Ringer, beats him in the dressage court. “Gabby” and Get Wild’s 25.2 test on Thursday kept a solid lead after the rest of the field’s 29 horses finished today. (It was also the 2^nd best score across all 6 FEI divisions.)

“We’ve worked really hard on the flat and he’s been consistently strong in dressage,” said Gabby, a recent college graduate with a communications and media production degree. “But any time you are in an atmosphere like this, you never know.”

“He’s my horse of a lifetime,” the 21-year-old Northern California rider said. The pair has some 3*-S mileage and Gabby opted for the 2*-L to let Get Wild “take a breath out there on cross-country, gain some confidence and have some fun.”

Colorado professional Dani Sussman sits 2^nd with Water Valley Royal Guy on a 27.4. “He’s the whole package,” Sussman said of her new ride and their prospects over the weekend. “The course looks great, the footing feels fantastic, which will help us cruise around efficiently. I think my horse is going to eat it up!”

2023 USEA 2*-L National and 2*-L Young Rider champions Hanni Sreenan and Ebenholtz sit third on a 27.6.

CCI2*-L pairs start cross country at 2:00 p.m. Mountain time Saturday

Alyssa Phillips and Isabella Degner tied atop the CCI1*-L

Pennsylvania professional Alyssa Phillips is making the most of having only one horse here. She’s been white water rafting, dipped into Foys Lake and attended a rodeo. But Centerfold’s dressage performance this morning is the highlight so far. Their 31.5 ties them with junior pair, Isabella Degner and Supah Heat, at the top of this division.

Centerfold, a 6-year-old Irish Sport Horse is still “getting all the pieces together.” Despite a few “bobbles,” Phillips is thrilled with how hard he tried to stay composed in the impressive setting.

Targeting the 2026 WSHBF Young Horse Championships qualification, Phillips expects Saturday’s cross-country to be a great learning experience. She’ll give the naturally spooky horse time to look at the “water monster,” (Ogopogo). “Then from there, I’ll let him flow and find his pace. I think the course is going to set him up very well for the future.” Purchased last summer from Amy and Austin O’Connor in England, Centerfold “has a massive stride and I think he’s going to love it out there!”

Elle White and Biscotti are third on a 34.6 third in the 17-horse field.

CCI*-L pairs start cross country at 3:25 p.m. Mountain time Saturday.

View all live scores from The Event at Rebecca Farm, here.