United States Eventing Association

Temecula, Calif., Nov. 5, 2010 —Allison Springer and Arthur made a long trip from the East to compete at the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event, but they proved it was worth it by putting in a strong dressage test to take a commanding lead in the CCI3*.

The liver chestnut Irish Sport horse was focused and expressive in his test to score a 41.0. “He’s definitely tuning in to the whole California experience,” said Springer, Marshall, Va., of the famously mercurial Arthur.

“Of course any horse is going to be calmer when it’s 30 degrees warmer than it is at home,” she said with a laugh. “But there’s a great feel out here, just a great camaraderie.”

Jennie Brannigan, of West Grove, Pa., and Cambalda are lurking in second place, with a 46.0, and Tamra Smith, of Hemet, Calif., and Corner Street are breathing down their necks in third with a 46.6.

Although Brannigan and Nina Gardner’s bay Irish Sport Horse gelding also traveled from the East Coast to compete, Galway Downs is a homecoming for Brannigan, who is a Temecula, Calif., native.

“I’m so excited,” said Brannigan, who normally works for Olympian Phillip Dutton in Pennsylvania. “I think it means more to come here than to be anywhere else. It’s cool to be here with all the people who are so important to me.”

Riding at the inaugural Galway Downs CCI3* fulfills a promise Brannigan made to organizer Robert Kellerhouse four years ago, after she moved to the East Coast.

All the riders have praise for Ian Starks’ CCI3* cross-country course, but they aren’t counting their prize money just yet.

“I love Ian Stark as a course designer,” said Springer. “His courses encourage a really forward ride. You can’t go out there weak. You have to be thoughtful and hold your line. It’s going to challenge the experienced horses, and be good for the first-time three-star horses too, and that’s really hard to do.”

“Anybody who comes out here thinking this is going to be easier [than the East Coast] is going to be surprised,” concurred Brannigan. “I think this is comparable to any other event, for sure. It’s just as tough as anywhere else.”

In the CCI2*, Alexandra Slusher and Juicy Couture put in a confident and accurate test to take the lead with 49.2 penalties. Canadian Shannon Thompson stands second (52.5), while Amber Levine and Nantucket Red are third (54.2).

Slusher, who is also standing fourth in the CCI3* with Last Call, says the challenge for her lies in the two very different mounts. “It’s not so hard to go from one course to the other, it’s my two mares—they’re completely different. One is big and long, and the other isn’t so big and so long. But I have two hours between them to relax and change my mindset.”

Slusher, of Auburn, Calif., is also thrilled to have a CCI3* here in the California. “Having the three-star here is everything,” she said. [To compete back east this spring] I ended up shipping my horses myself, and I had no idea how hard it was going to be on my horses. [Having this] is huge. And I don’t think the course is any less hard than anything in the East.”

In the modern-format CCI1*, Lindsay Connors of El Granada, Calif., and Ballingowan Pizazz (45.6) are leading former Young Event Horse Reserve Champion Project Runway, ridden by Maxance McManamy (47.5). Smith is standing third in this division as well, aboard C.S.I. (49.1).

In the classic-format CCI1*, Katherine Groesbeck of Wilton, Calif., is sitting pretty, currently standing first and second with her homebred Anglo-Arabs, Oz Proof of Purchase (46.2) and Oz The Tin Man (47.2). Olympic silver medalist Gina Miles is standing third aboard Wallenda (48.8).

In the two divisions of the training three -day event, Erin Spohr, riding Chris Misita’s Oldenburg stallion Bravo, took command in division A, putting in a bold test to score 26.3. Erin Kellerhouse and Roxabelle are second (26.8), and Tory Smith and Bantry Bay V are third (29.0). In division B, Sierra Mathias and Regal Exit lead with a 30.4, over Tristen Hooks and Learning To Fly (30.7) and Zoe Winokur and Maletto V (32.3).

The Galway Downs CCI3* offers $21,000 in prize money, substantially more than the prize money offered at any of the other three CCI3* events in North America. All told, the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event will offer $33,000 in prize money and more than $50,000 in total prizes.

The generous presenting sponsorship of Professional’s Choice equine products, Point Two Air Jackets USA, and the Professional Riders Organization help make these prizes possible.

Additional sponsors provide prize money, prizes and other support to the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event. Those sponsors include: Auburn Laboratories Inc., Big Horse Feed, CWD Saddlery, Doug Hannum Equine Therapy, Equine Insurance of California, Revere Saddlery, Riding’s Publications Inc., SmartPak Equine, and Sonoma Saddle Shop.

General admission for the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event is $8 per day in advance, $10 at the gate. VIP tickets—which include seating in the ringside tent, lunch and a full selection of beverages—are also available for $55 per day in advance. For advance reservations, go to www.galwaydowns.com. Cross-country runs tomorrow (Saturday) from 10:100 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For more information on the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event, visit www.galwaydowns.com or call 951-303-0405. To learn more about eventing, visit the U.S. Eventing Association’s website (www.useventing.com).