Tamie Smith Took Lead After Dressage at Morven Park
Smith and her horse Danito claimed the top spot in Leesburg with a dressage score of 22.8.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Equestrian
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Tamie Smith and her 17-year-old Hanoverian gelding Danito secured the lead in the CCI4*-L class at Morven Park in Leesburg. The duo finished the two-day dressage phase with a score of 22.8, establishing a 3.2-point lead over their closest competitors.
Why it matters
The performance at this event carries significant weight as riders look to maintain momentum throughout the competition. Following her recent $25,000 series title win earlier this week, Smith is demonstrating high-level consistency with Danito.
Tamie Smith and Danito hold a 22.8 score, ahead of Sharon White and Claus 63 at 26.0 and Alyssa Phillips and Rockett 19 at 26.4. The 17-year-old gelding previously recorded a 19.5 at Tryon and a 26.3 at Twin Rivers earlier this year.
The players
Tamie Smith
Tamie Smith is a top-ranked professional equestrian rider based in Murrieta, California.
Danito
Danito is a 17-year-old Hanoverian gelding that has competed successfully at the CCI4* level.
Sharon White
Sharon White is a professional equestrian rider currently holding second place in the competition.
Alyssa Phillips
Alyssa Phillips is an accomplished equestrian athlete currently ranked third in the field.
Morven Park
Morven Park is a historic estate and equestrian competition venue located in Leesburg, Virginia.
The details
Judges Bea di Grazia, Peter Gray, and Christian Steiner officiated the two-day dressage competition in Leesburg. The event now moves into the cross-country phase to further test the field of riders and their horses.
Timeline
September 2026: Danito won at Twin Rivers.
October 9, 2026: Smith and Danito took the lead after dressage.
October 10, 2026: Cross-country phase of the competition.
The Big Picture
This event follows the rigorous requirements of the FEI CCI4*-L competition standard. The current performance at Morven Park mirrors standard high-level equestrian testing, where dressage scores serve as the baseline for determining eventual winners.
Smith enters the cross-country phase with a comfortable 3.2-point buffer, giving her a strategic advantage in the overall standings. This position puts pressure on White and Phillips to achieve clear rounds to close the gap.
The takeaway
Maintaining a lead in high-level dressage requires precise communication between horse and rider. Riders who maximize their dressage scores early in the event create a safer margin for the more volatile cross-country and jumping phases.
Further reading
For more updates from the tournament, see our Equestrian section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chronofhorse.
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