Charles Pinnell, cross-country announcer, said it best—it was a “picture-perfect Saturday here in Aiken, South Carolina.” The CCI4*-S division closed out their competition by taking on Helen West’s cross-country course. They were one of only two double-clear rounds in the division, and one of those belonged to winners Lucienne Bellissimo (USA) and Dyri.

Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri Claim the CCI4*-S Victory

Bellissimo and Horse Scout Eventing LLC’s Dyri held their lead to finish on a 27.7. Bellissimo also rode Kitsch Couture HPK in the division, finishing ninth. When asked about her rides, she shared, “I was using this run as a nice Kentucky prep for Kitsch Couture HPK. She gave me a super clear, and feels ready for her first Kentucky experience. Dyri and I came here with the goal of trying to win, and he started as well as he finished today with a 27. He was class everywhere and really liked how attacking the course was, credit to Helen West. I’m so happy for Dyri; he deserved a good win and to make the time.” 

Lucienne Bellissimo (USA) and Dyri en route to winning the CCI4*-S. ©Dave Shapiro

Alexandra “Allie” Knowles (USA) and Montpellier Scais moved up to second place to finish their weekend on a 35.0. She also navigated LS Crown Royal around the CCI4*-S to finish on a 48.8 to end in 13th place. Knowles shared, “I had two in the four-star. My very new eight year old; this was his first Advanced, so I took an easy trip around the track because I’m still getting to know him. That was a really nice opportunity for me to see how it was riding and how the distances were so when I went out on Montpellier, which was only his second four-star, I knew a bit more about the track. I knew to put the pedal down, and I knew there was an opportunity to move up. I kind of put his feet to the fire. It’s definitely the fastest I’ve run him, and he was all business. I can’t even describe how proud of him I am. This was the first time he came out and I was like, ‘Let’s go win this!’ Both of them just cruised around like champions. It was a great weekend overall!” 

Second-place finishers Alexandra “Allie” Knowles (USA) and Montpellier Scais tackle the cross-country course. ©Dave Shapiro

Aiken-based rider Waylon Roberts (CAN) and Andrea McAllister’s Fernhill Salt Lake were the first double clear of the day and the only other combination to make the time besides Bellissimo and Dyri. They finished in third on a 36.1. Roberts also rode two other horses successfully over Helen West’s track. He finished eighth with Slieve Callan Alpha and 11th with Chevalier. Roberts noted, “I couldn’t be more excited for all three of them. The course rode so smooth. I think Helen did a fantastic job. The track really felt like a cross-country track out there. It was challenging enough at times, but then it wasn’t over the top because we’re still early in the season preparing for four-long formats. I thought it was just a great day of sport.”

Waylon was asked about his next plans for his horses. He shared, “This was a big day getting these three MERs at the level. Now all three of them are qualified to go do a four-long. I think the plan is going to be to go show jump at Progressive Show Jumping on the grass in a couple weeks and then aim them at the four-long at Tryon. Then, we have the Bromont four-long in our back pocket.” 

Waylon Roberts (CAN) rode three horses in the CCI4*-S division, shown here with Slieve Callan Alpha. ©Dave Shapiro

Tamie Smith and Danito Win the CCI3*-S

The CCI3*-S saw some shifts in the leaderboard, however, Tamie Smith (USA) was able to hold on to her lead with Ruth Bley’s Danito, after adding only 9 seconds of time to finish on a 31.0. Madison Temkin (USA) and Fernhill Bertus also held on to second place, finishing on a 32.2. Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Sebastian climbed seven places to finish in third on a 33.9, adding just one second of time to their score. Lucia Strini (USA) and MGH Mr Messack were the only combination to go double clear. Boyd Martin (USA) and Mo Chroi, who were originally in third, unfortunately took a tumble at 7A. Boyd didn’t ride in the CCI4*-S, but he is reportedly uninjured. 

Allie Knowles Takes the CCI2*-S Title, While Meaghan Marinovich-Burdick Wins the CCI1*-S Division

It was a good weekend at the office for Knowles. In addition to finishing second in the CCI4*-S, she topped the CCI2*-S podium with Tip Top Quality. They added only two cross-country time penalties to keep their first-place lead and finish on a 26. Meaghan Marinovich-Burdick (USA) and Cooley Mr. Murphy moved up to second place after their double-clear round to finish on a 30.3. Katie Lichten (USA) and Fast Company finished in third just .1 behind Marinovich-Burdick on a 30.4.

It was also a good weekend at the office for Marinovich-Burdick. She finished first in the CCI1*-S with her own Excalibur O’ Donoghue, finishing on their dressage score of 30.4. Hayley Frielick (NZL) and Dunedin LB Muze were only one second over the optimum time to slip to second on a 30.8 and Carly Seus (USA) and EHF Casiro Royale moved up to third place to finish on a 34.2. 

For More

To see the full results, click here.

For more information on the Stable View Spring International Horse Trials, click here.

Check out more of our coverage on this year’s Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, click here.


Thanks to Dechra for our coverage of the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. It includes lead-up events, rider interviews, competition reports, horse spotlights, photos, videos and more.