Tamie Smith Leaves No Doubt at Rebecca Farm with Commanding Cross-Country Performance

It was a day defined by bold riding, razor-sharp precision, and fearless pace at The Event at Rebecca Farm—and Tamie Smith was unquestionably at the center of it all. Leading the charge in the CCI4-L*, Smith delivered a masterclass aboard Lillet 3, drawing gasps from the crowd on Spectator Hill with a daring shortcut that sealed their place at the top.

Smith and the 11-year-old Hanoverian mare already held the lead after dressage on a score of 28.1, but they made their real statement on cross-country. Coming late in the order, Smith boldly navigated a direct line from the technical Duck-to-Angled Brushes combination at 14ABC to the Water Pipe at fence 15, a gutsy route that sliced precious seconds off the clock.

Smith and Lillet 3 stormed across the finish 12 seconds under the optimum time of 10:58 on course designer Jay Hambly’s sprawling and challenging track. With its unforgiving terrain and long galloping stretches, the course tested fitness and finesse alike across all six international divisions.

What an unforgettable moment for this skilled combination!

Photo by Stefan Lafrentz