Oct 26, 2020

USEA Podcast #269: Galway Downs Preview Show

By USEA

This week's USEA Podcast is about all things Galway! The Galway Downs International Event is taking place this weekend starting on Wednesday, October 28 with the first horse inspection for the FEI levels. Nicole Brown is joined on the show by Galway Downs's cross-country course designer Clayton Fredericks for a chat about what riders can expect at Galway this weekend before she and Diarm Byrne of Equiratings discuss which pairs to watch this weekend.

  • For those who are not familiar, Fredericks provides an overview of what the venue at Galway Downs is like. It's unique as the course encircles a racetrack and the ground is predominantly flat with some interesting manufactured topography.
  • This is Fredericks first year designing courses at Galway Downs, but he already knows the venue quite well as he's been a competitor there on several occasions and is friends with Robert Kellerhouse, Galway Downs's organizer.
  • Fredericks comments a bit on how COVID-19 has affected his process as a course designer. One of the major hurdles has been the amount of time he's been able to spend preparing the courses, so he's been working closely with Bert Wood, who has been involved at Galway as a course designer for years and is the course designer for the lower levels at Galway this fall.
  • Galway Downs will be hosting the West Coast leg of the Adequan USEF Futures Team Challenge. You can learn more about this exciting program from US Equestrian High Performance Director Erik Duvander and US Equestrian Developing and Emerging Rider Coach Leslie Law in this episode of the USEA Podcast. The USEF CCI3*-L National Championship will also be held at Galway Downs this year.
  • Brown asks Fredericks to share a bit about his philosophy as a course designer. He said he wants his courses to be challenging and focuses on trying to make the courses good for the horses in terms of flow and footing. You'll have to listen to find out if he gets more nervous designing courses or riding them!
  • Before signing off, Fredericks shares a bit about how his business, Fredericks Equestrian, has been doing during COVID-19, his 8-month old son born earlier this year, his plans for 2021 with his horses, and his teenage daughter, Ellie, who is living and competing in the UK.
  • Brown and Byrne start off their analysis of the field with a discussion about what it's taken to win at Galway Downs in the past. Byrne said a dressage score in around the 30 mark should set the riders up for success. He did say that, in the past, riders have needed to be fast on the cross-country to hold onto the top spot, but with a new course and course designer this year the cross-country phase may play a different role than in years past.
  • Phillip Dutton and Amber Levine have both won the CCI4*-L at Galway previously, and James Alliston has won the CCI4*-L a whopping three times on three different horses. Of those that have won the CCI4*-L, all but one have gone clear and inside the time on cross-country.
  • Byrne names both Dutton with Fernhill Singapore and Boyd Martin with Long Island T as ones to watch for at the top of the leaderboard this weekend, but said Martin's other mount, Luke 140, and Liz Halliday-Sharp with Cooley Quicksilver can't be discounted.
  • Halliday-Sharp and Tamie Smith will be leading the two teams for the Adequan USEF Futures Team Challenge this weekend. Team Erik is made up of Halliday-Sharp, Sophie Click, and Emilee Libby, and Team Leslie is made up of Smith, Charlotte Babbitt, and Rebecca Brown.
  • After deliberation, Brown and Bryne name their podium picks for the CCI4*-L - you'll have to listen in to see who they've chosen!

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Weekend Quick Links: March 29-30

Are you following along with the action from home this weekend? Or maybe you're competing at an event and need information fast. Either way, we’ve got you covered! Check out the USEA’s Weekend Quick Links for links to information including the prize list, ride times, live scores, and more for all the events running this weekend.

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2025 USEA American Eventing Championships Presented by Nutrena Feeds Heads West to Galway Downs

After two years on the East Coast, the United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is thrilled to be packing our bags and heading West for the 2025 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds. On August 26-31, top USEA competitors from near and far will converge on Galway Downs in Temecula, California, for the annual championship that celebrates every level of the Olympic sport of eventing from Starter through Advanced. This year’s event will again feature the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final and the USEA Adult Team Championships.

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Broussard Family Charitable Trust Announces Doubling of Rebecca Farm Travel Grants

Since 2006, the Broussard Family Charitable Trust has supported the sport of eventing in the U.S. and the careers of countless U.S. event riders through multiple grants including the Rebecca Broussard Developing Rider Grant (2011), Le Samurai Fund (2008), Cindy Burge Memorial ECP Grant (2006), Broussard Family Charitable Trust Going Forward Grants (2020), and the Rebecca Farm Travel Grant (2011). The USEA Foundation is excited to share that the Broussard Family Charitable Trust continues to remain committed to its support of these grants and has announced the following enhancements for 2025.

Official Corporate Sponsors of the USEA

Official Joint Therapy Treatment of the USEA

Official Feed of the USEA

Official Saddle of the USEA

Official Equine Insurance of the USEA

Official Forage of the USEA

Official Supplement Feeding System of the USEA

Official Competition & Training Apparel of the USEA

Official Horse Boot of the USEA

Official Shock Wave of the USEA

Official Horse Wear of the USEA