United States Eventing Association

Temecula, Calif., Nov. 4, 2016 - A festive atmosphere greeted riders and spectators at Galway Downs International, as action got underway in dressage, show jumping and cross country on a beautiful southern California day.

First to start was CCI1* dressage, judged by ground jury members Bobby Stevenson and Vicky Stashuk-Matisi. CCI2* riders will begin at 12:45 p.m. (PST) in Ring 1, judged by the ground jury of Angela Tucker (GBR), Mark Weissbecker and Jane Hamlin. The CCI3* division will follow, with popular West Coast rider Gina Economou and Samntha Magowan's Calidore set to enter the arena at 3:45 p.m.

See the LIve Feed of the CCI2* and CCI3* from Ride On Video here.

In the attractive grass show jumping arena alongside the VIP tent, the Preliminary division was the first of the national divisions to tackle Marc Donovan's flowing course. Helen Bouscaren and her own Ebay moved into the lead of the Open Preliminary division with a clear show jumping round, putting them on an overnight score of 24.3 going this afternoon's cross country. Alyssa Schaefer and her own Fuego maintained their lead in the Preliminary Rider division, to start cross country on their dressage score of 25.9.

The popular and challenging Training Three Day Speed and Endurance is set to begin Roads & Tracks at 2 p.m (PST). Overnight leader Megan Noelle Wilson has developed her own Classic's Mojah into an eventer after former rider Steffan Peters thought the horse would enjoy eventing more than a career in dressage.

"I got him in June from Steffan Peters. He's kind of an ex-dressage horse turning into an eventing horse. He's doing really great, loving eventing," Wilson explained."He was super today, had his game face on in the dressage. Since I got him he's just been an awesome jumper and really become an awesome event horse so far. I'm really excited for his future," she smiled.

The Galway Downs International Event annually attracts top equestrians from across the nation. The FEI (international) level divisions of CCI3*, CCI2* and CCI1* give riders experience and qualifications to advance to the top of the sport. British Olympian Ian Stark, dubbed the 'Flying Scotsman', is known for designing challenging but safe courses that encourage bold, forward riding. In the national divisions, the ever-popular Training Three Day competition offers riders the opportunity to compete their horses in the 'classic format' of speed and endurance, building fitness and partnership in the all-important cross country phase.

International cross country excitement begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, starting with the CCI1* followed by the CCI2* at 1 p.m., and the CCI3* at 2:30 p.m. The Training Three Day will culminate with show jumping at 3:30 p.m., contested in reverse order of standing to guarantee a thrilling finish.

Sunday, action takes place again in the beautiful grass arena with show jumping for the international divisions beginning at 10:00 A.M. with the CCI1* division. National divisions of Training and Novice will run cross country from 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

For results and ride times, click here.