United States Eventing Association

Galway Downs Welcomes Eric Winter as New CCI3* Cross-Country Course Designer

Del Mar Eventing is thrilled to announce Eric Winter as the new CCI3* cross-country course designer for the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event in Temecula, CA, November 2-5, 2017.

Winter began his eventing career 1986, and competed successfully through the CCI4* level before turning his attention to course design. He has designed courses for such prestigious events as the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and SsangYoung Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials. Galway Downs will be his first course designing experience in the United States.

He takes the reins over from Ian Stark who has designed at this venue since 2007. “Ian has designed at Galway Downs for ten years, and we are so grateful for the time and experience he given to us in helping us advance our sport and the level of riding. Ian’s vision for the cross-country courses moved the sport of eventing forward in the United States. He provided great changes to what we have done for our International Event, and having Eric take the baton is very exciting as I believe Eric's enthusiasm for the sport coupled with incredible experience will help continue to raise the very high bar set by Ian for our cross-country courses, and the overall spectator experience. We are thrilled to welcome him to make his American debut at Galway," said Event Organizer Robert Kellerhouse.

In addition to his extensive experience, Winter also brings innovative ideas to reconstruct the three-star track with spectators in mind. “The front of house for the event is the Sycamore Field. That is a huge change,” Kellerhouse commented.

“Spectators are centralized in this hub where they can view the start, finish, as well as a combination that comes directly through the Sycamore Field. It’s the key component of Eric’s course and our efforts to make Galway Downs more of a destination experience for the general public.”

The start of the course will now be inside the main exercise track before wrapping around the property and returning through the show jumping arena in Sycamore Field (Fence 23AB). Here visitors can experience the thrill of cross-country first hand while enjoying a complete view of the course via ringside Jumbotron.

"We wanted to reposition the great questions that Galway already offers," Winter said. "We repositioned the track in a way that takes better advantage of the terrain and also in a way that brings the horses into the spectator court near the grass show jumping arena."

The Galway Downs is a destination event held annually in Temecula, CA, where riders from Novice through the CCI3* level enjoy world-class competition. The event will be held November 2-5, 2017. For more information about Galway Downs, please visit www.galwaydowns.com.

Spectators are welcomed and encouraged! For ticketing information, please click here.