Kalispell, Mont.—July 25

James Alliston was sitting in fourth place after cross-country at Rebecca Farm on Saturday—more than a rail behind leaders Jennie Brannigan and Twilightslastgleam—so he didn’t anticipate leading the victory gallop at the conclusion of the the CCI4*-L. But when he and Paper Jam managed one of just two double-clear rounds in Sunday’s show jumping, the pair vaulted to the win.

Alliston said the 12-year-old Hanoverian, “was really awesome; honestly I wasn’t expecting to win because I had some time penalties yesterday. But he’s a really sweet horse and a real trier, and I am excited for him going forward.”

James Alliston and Paper Jam. Alison Green for Shannon Brinkman Photography Photo

Alliston next big goal for “Jammers” is the Galway Downs CCI4*-L (California) in November.

“He’s a fast horse; he doesn’t get tired,” he said. “I’m hoping he can go five-star. He’s got all the pieces.”

Alliston, who is based in California, loves coming to Rebecca Farm, with its big-event atmosphere in the Rocky Mountain West.

“Riding is one of those sports that’s all about experience,” Alliston said, noting he enjoys bringing his California-based horses to give them a taste of the wide-open grassland and natural terrain Rebecca Farm offers. He also said the general atmosphere prepares horses and riders for other big venues away from home.

James Alliston and Paper Jam topped the Rebecca Farm CCI4*-L. Alison Green for Shannon Brinkman Photography Photo

Caroline Martin and Islandwood Captain Jack added one rail to finish in second place in the CCI4*-L. The 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, who goes by “James,” is owned by Martin’s mother, Sherrie Martin.

“I am really pleased with him,” Caroline said. “I wanted to come out here and practice going fast on cross-country—fast but under control. He’s an amazing horse, and I’m quite lucky to have a horse like him. He’s a horse of a lifetime for sure.”

She and James will probably be heading to the Maryland 5* this fall.

Brannigan and Twilightslastgleam had 8 jump penalties to finish in third. “Grandpa” is an 11-year-old Thoroughbred gelding owned by Tim and Nina Gardner.

“That little horse has to try his heart out to compete at this level,” she said. “I am just thrilled he tried as hard as he did.”

James Alliston and Nemesis won the CCI3*-L. Alison Green for Shannon Brinkman Photography Photo

The final placings for the CCI4*-S remained unchanged from cross-country to the end of competition on Sunday. Maya Black maintained her lead to win first place with Miks Master C, a 9-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding owned by Laurie Cameron. They added 4 jump penalties for a final score of 33.8.

Alliston and Nemesis, a 7-year-old Canadian Warmblood owned by Alliston Equestrian, maintained their lead in the CCI3*-L with a double-clear round for a final score of 33.1.

“He was really good,” said Alliston. “He is young, but he has been a big winner already. His mind is excellent. He keeps a really level head and has the talent, but also the strength of mind to come out on Day 1 of competition and do a good job.”

James Alliston and Nemesis. Alison Green for Shannon Brinkman Photography Photo

“It’s early in his career to do this, but they learn so much from coming here and going on the grass,” Alliston said. “Rebecca Farm really exposes them to how it’s going to be when they go to somewhere like Kentucky.”

He also grabbed second place in the CCI3*-L with Alliston Equestrian’s RevitaVet Calaro. The 9-year-old Holsteiner put in a double-clear round for a final score of 34.3.

Maya Black and Miks Master C won the CCI4*-S.

Tommy Greengard and his own Joshuay MBF maintained their dressage lead to win the CCI2*-L.

Adding only one rail to their dressage score of 25.4, Greengard and “Josh,” a 7-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, finished with a score of 29.4.

“It’s been amazing,” he said. “It was so great to bring him here. The goal was to get him here, and I wasn’t sure it would happen, but he came and showed up for me in a big way. I really couldn’t ask for him to be any better. He jumped higher and higher, and worked harder and harder all weekend.”

Tommy Greengard and Joshua MBF led the CCI2*-L from start to finish. Anthony Trollope for Shannon Brinkman Photography Photo

Full results can be found here.