For the second year in a row, James Alliston and Jolie Wentworth will be trying to grab first, second and third places in the CIC3* at the Woodside International Horse Trials, presented by Equine Insurance of California and Professional’s Choice. The horse trials will be held on Oct. 4-7 at the Horse Park at Woodside.

In 2011 Alliston, of Castro Valley, Calif., rode Jumbo’s Jake to first place and Parker to third place in the CIC3*, while Wentworth, of Martinez, Calif., rode GoodKnight to second place.

This year Alliston, 27, will try to defend his title once again with Jumbo’s Jake and with his younger three-star mount, Tivoli. Wentworth, 31, will once again be riding GoodKnight. Alliston will be riding Parker in the national-level advanced division, meaning he could sweep the top-level competition at Woodside..

Jumbo’s Jake is a 14-year-old Irish-bred gelding whom Alliston has been competing for three years. In 2011, Jumbo’s Jake went on from winning the Woodside CIC3* to winning the CCI3* at the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event a month later. Tivoli, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood, finished second in the CCI2* at Galway Downs in 2011.

GoodKnight also finished second once again to Jumbo’s Jake in the CCI3* at Galway Downs. The 10-year-old Selle Francais is now in his second year of partnership with Wentworth.

Eight additional pairs of horses and riders will try to grab first place in the CIC3*, including Gina Miles, the 2008 Olympic silver medalist, on international veteran S.V.R. Ron.

A total of 17 horses are entered in the CIC2*, including Alliston on Mojo and Wentworth on Man On A Mission II and Bally Quinn. Another 13 horses are entered in the CIC1*, including two winners of the Preliminary Challenge at the May Woodside Horse Trials. Julie Flettner and Ping Pong won the Preliminary Challenge’s rider division in May 2012, and Erin Kellerhouse and Roxabelle won the Preliminary Challenge’s horse division in May 2011.

Thanks to the generous support of more than a dozen sponsors, the total prize money for this year’s Woodside International Horse Trials is $20,000, with Devoucoux and Equine Comfort Products contributing as Gold Medal Sponsors. Saddlery Solutions, Voltaire Design and CWD are the event’s Silver Medal Sponsors and will contribute a plethora of exciting prizes. 

Auburn Laboratories Inc., California Horse Trader, Flair Equine Nasal Strips, Geranium Street Floral, Point Two Air Jackets, Professional Riders Organization, Ride On Video, SmartPak Equine and Sunsprite Warmbloods are the Bronze Medal Sponsors. They’re just some of the equine-product manufacturers and service providers that, in addition to supporting the event with prizes, will be on site for riders and spectators to meet in the event trade fair. 

The international horses will start their competition on Thursday afternoon, with the first horse inspection in front of the ground jury and head veterinarian. A welcome reception for all competitors follows at 5:30. Dressage will start at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, with the show jumping for the three international divisions starting at 2:00 on Friday afternoon, followed by a cocktail reception beginning at 5:30 overlooking the competition arena.

On Saturday, spectators will get to enjoy the heart of the sport of eventing—the cross-country phase—as the previous day’s pairs tackle the cross-country course in reverse order of their two-phase standing. The CIC3* horses will vie for a chance at the Fric Frac Berence Heart Award trophy and $1,000 prize money presented to the horse and rider with the best cross-country performance, as determined by a panel of judges.

All winners will be recognized Saturday evening at a special dinner celebration and awards ceremony, open to the public. 

Patron’s passes are available for the parties on Thursday, Friday and Saturday: Reserved tables of 10 for all three evening functions are available for $600, or $300 per night for single evenings. Individual seats for all three evenings sell for $75, or $35 for one evening.

Go to www.woodsideeventing.comfor ticket and full competition information.