United States Eventing Association

Improvements Continue At Galway Downs International Horse Trials

Temecula, Calif., March 26, 2015—Competitors arriving for the Galway Downs annual Galway Downs International Horse Trials are finding a busier and even more beautiful Galway Downs Equestrian Center than ever before. More than 150 racehorses are now in training on the grounds, landscaping work is continuing to beautify the site, and the parking lot on the west side of the barns is being transformed into a recreational area for the community.

“All of these developments are a continuation of the exciting work that we’ve been doing ever since Ken Smith bought the property in late 2010” said Robert Kellerhouse, organizer or the Galway Downs International Events and manager of the grounds.

“Our goal continues to be to make Galway Downs a larger part of the Temecula Valley community, and so we’re creating an area that can be rented for community events, weddings and other affairs. And we’re glad that our fabulous track is becoming a busy Southern California Thoroughbred training center once again, because it’s always exciting to see the racehorses galloping around the track in the morning,” added Kellerhouse.

Competitors will also like that, in addition to finding their riding times and full results at www.galwaydowns.com, they can also download the entire show program to their mobile devices. And during the weekend’s events, they can watch on the website a series of video interviews with course designer Ian Stark and the leading riders, hosted by Frankie Thieriot Stutes and produced by Ride On Video. Stark will describe in detail the changes he’s made to this year’s cross-country course.

The three international divisions will perform their dressage tests on Friday morning, from 8:15 to 12:45, and later show jump in the main ring, starting with the CIC1* at 2:00 and concluding with the CIC3* from 4:45--5:20. On Saturday, the CIC1* will kick off the day’s action, from 8:30 until 10:05. The CIC2* will gallop around the course from 11:50 until 12:50, and the CIC3* will climax the day from 1:10 to 2:00. The preliminary divisions will continue the cross-country action from 2:20 to 4:40. The awards dinner starts at 6:00 in the tent overlooking the main arena.

The CIC3* at the Galway Downs International Horse Trials is one of the 11 events across the country comprising the Adequan/USEA Gold Cup Series. Since Galway Downs is one of only two Gold Cup Events in California (and one of the four on the West Coast), it’s a vital competition for advanced riders who are aiming to qualify for the $40,000 Adequan/USEA Gold Cup Series final in September. The Galway Downs CIC3* offers prize money of $6,000 and an array of prizes provided by the generous sponsors of the Galway Downs International Horse Trials.

CWD, Devoucoux, Equine Insurance of California, The USEA Adequan Gold Cup Series and the PRO Tour are the Presenting Sponsors of the 2015 Galway Downs International Horse trials. The Gold Medal Sponsors are: MD Barnmaster, California HorseTrader, Equinox Equestrian Center, Ian Stark Equestrian Centre, Professional’s Choice and Sunsprite Warmbloods. The Silver Medal Sponsors are: La Quinta Inn and Suites of Temecula, Temecula Creek Inn and Smartpak. The Bronze Medal Sponsors are: Auburn Laboratories, The Boulevard Magazine, Elk Grove Milling, Finish Line Products, Freedom RV Rentals, Geranium Street Equestrian, California Riding Magazine, Ride On Video, San Luis Rey Equine Hospital, Shires Equestrian Products, Triple Crown Nutrition and Voltaire Design. The Friend Sponsors are: Eventing Training Online, Copper Meadows Eventing and Revitavet.Ernest Woodward Farrier is a Patron.

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 on Friday and Sunday, $75 for Saturday, 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).