Enjoy Easter Weekend at the Galway Downs International Horse Trials
If you’re looking for an Easter Weekend activity that combines gourmet food and drink, music and the pure excitement of horses galloping over imposing cross-country jumps, then the Galway Downs International Horse Trials on March 29-31 is the place you’ll want to be.
There’s even an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids on Sunday, at 2 p.m., following the final round of show jumping.
In addition to a varied line-up of musicians on all three days, cross-country day on Saturday will feature three oasis points with food and drink to accent the music. The three oasis points around the beautiful cross-country course will feature shaded seating with a variety of gourmet foods, draft beer and wine from local vineyards. The oasis points will be located within comfortable walking distance of the trade fair and each other, but transportation will also be available.
The musicians will be located in the trade fair on Friday following the international show jumping, on Saturday following the cross-country phase, and on Sunday during arena breaks in the show jumping and immediately following final round of show jumping.
Our fans really enjoyed the music, food and drink at oasis points on the cross-country course at last November’s international event, so we’re improving on them for this event,” said Robert Kellerhouse, the Galway Downs event organizer. “And we’re especially excited to have Tony Suraci back again to play. He does an absolutely fabulous show!”
Suraci, singing his “The Highwayman Show,” will be the weekend’s featured performer on Saturday night, March 30. Suraci, who lives just north of Temecula in Fallbrook, brings fans to their feet with a foot-stomping selection of songs by Johnnie Cash, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and Waylon Jennings.
Sharing the stage with Suraci will be Tim Walsh, who fronts his own Credence Clearwater Revival tribute band.
On Saturday, during the cross-country phase, from noon to 4:00 p.m., Kenny Marquez will play his wide-ranging rock collection on one section of the course, while Low Volts, the one-man band of Tim Lowman, will play on another section.
Tacky Little Hat Shop will kick off the musical performances with their experimental folk/indie music on Friday, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sisters Annie Preston and Enya Preston formed Tacky Little Hat Shop in the summer of 2008, playing acoustic guitar, banjo, keyboard, and accordion.
Jillian Calkins, the 18-year-old singing sensation, will provide the weekend’s musical climax after Sunday’s show jumping phase, from noon to 3:30. Calkins, of Lake Elsinore, captivates audiences of all ages with timeless French and contemporary jazz, along with modern hits of the day with her own jazzy flair.
Each of the 60-plus horses expected to start in the three international divisions will perform their dressage tests on Friday morning and then negotiate the demanding show jumping course in the late afternoon. Then, on Saturday, they’ll gallop over the more than 30 jumps on the cross-country course designed by Ian Stark of Great Britain, who’s designed the Galway Downs course to great acclaim since 2007.
The CIC3* division of the Galway Downs International Horse Trials is one of 15 member events of the Adequan USEA Gold Cup & PRO Tour Series for 2013. Riders in each of these events aim for top prize money and prizes while seeking to qualify for the series final at the American Eventing Championships, where the purse is $40,000.
Equine Insurance of California, the Adequan/USEA Gold Cup, and the PRO Tour are the Presenting Sponsors of the Galway Downs International Horse Trials.
The Gold Medal Sponsors of the Galway Downs International Horse Trials are: The California Horsetrader, Professional's Choice, MD Barnmaster and Sunsprite Warmbloods.
The Silver Medal Sponsors are: Charles Owen, Voltaire, Holiday Inn Express, JC Resorts and Majyk Equipe.
The Bronze Medal Sponsors are: American Medical Response, American Horse Trials Foundation, Auburn Laboratories, Big Horse Feeds, Cavalor, CWD, Geranium Street Equestrian, Point Two Air Jackets, Riding’s Publications Inc., Ride On Video, SmartPak, and Triple Crown Nutrition.
General admission for the Galway Downs International Horse Trials is only $10 per day in advance, $15 at the gate, with children under 12 free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Patron’s passes—which include seating in the ringside tent, lunch and a full selection of beverages—are also available for $55 per day or $150 for the weekend in advance. For advance reservations, go to www.galwaydowns.com.
For more information on the Galway Downs International Horse Trials, 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).
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