United States Eventing Association

Temecula, Calif., Nov. 4, 2010 — Some 19 horses—from California, Washington, Montana, Texas, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Georgia—were accepted by the ground jury today to start in the first CCI3* ever held at the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event or on the U.S. West Coast.

Joining them in competition over these four days will be 12 horses in the CCI2*, nine horses in the classic-format CCI1*, 35 horses in the modern-format CCI1*, and 45 horses in the training three-day event. With an impressive total of 120 starters in five three-day event divisions, dressage competition had to begin today and will continue all day tomorrow, and cross-country will require nearly all day on Saturday.

“I’m so thankful to all these competitors for literally coming from all over the country to compete here at Galway Downs. Being able to offer the CCI3* and having so many horses competing in this three-day event is a dream come true for me,” said organizer Robert Kellerhouse, who founded Galway Downs in 1999.

Allison Springer of Marshall, Va., on Arthur, reserves for the U.S. eventing team at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in early October, are leading the five-horse East Coast contingent. Two more horses have come from Texas, along with two from Montana and one from Washington. Riders will be representing the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Uruguay and India.

“I’d like to see what California eventing is all about,” said Springer. “Galway Downs has a great course designer in Ian Stark, and I know the footing is going to be good too. I think it’s going to be a great competition.”

Leading the West Coast heavy hitters is Kristi Nunnink, of Auburn, Calif., winner of the Galway Downs CCI2* in 2009. She’ll be riding her athletic mare R-Star, whom she rode at the Rolex Kentucky CCI4* in April. Tami Smith, of Hemet, Calif., who finished second to Nunnink in 2009, will be riding Corner Street, the horse with whom Nunnink won the CCI2* in 2009. Kelly Prather, on Ballinakill Glory, and Debbie Rosen, on The Alchemyst, will be starting at Galway Downs after contesting Rolex Kentucky in April.

This afternoon, three horses named after popular culture icons swept the top three places in the first half of the modern-format CCI1*. Max McManamy, of Templeton Calif., rode to the early lead, scoring 47.5 penalties on Project Runway, an eye-catching pinto Trakehner who’s only 6 years old. Tamra Smith, of Hemet, Calif., scored 49.1 penalties on C.S.I., to grab second, and Hawley Bennett-Awad, representing Canada, grabbed third on Five O’Clock Somewhere, scoring 53.7.

The remaining 18 horses in the modern-format CCI1* perform tomorrow, along with the other four three-day event divisions, starting at 8:00 a.m. and continuing until 4:12 p.m.

Cross-country begins with the CCI2* at 10:05 on Saturday morning, followed by the CCI3* from 11:20 until 12:30. The two CCI1* divisions and the training three-day will compete from 12:50 until approximately 5:00. Competition climaxes with the show jumping on Sunday.

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.

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).