Kristi Nunnink, of Auburn, Calif., and Tamra Smith, of Hemet, Calif., who claimed first and second places in the 2009Galway Downs CCI2*, are two of the West Coast riders planning to contest the CCI3* this year. And half a dozen riders from East Coast are expected to load their horses on a cargo plane in Baltimore and fly them to Los Angeles in order to compete.
All of these riders are heading to the Southern California Equestrian Center in Temecula, Calif., because of Galway Downs’ record and reputation as one of America’s highest-quality events. Plus, Galway Downs offers three-day events at four additional levels, where riders can also compete on less-experienced horses, and the event’s prize money can make the trip from anywhere worthwhile.
Galway Downs’ superior record and reputation result largely from the excellence of the cross-country course, designed for the fourth consecutive year by British Olympian Ian Stark. He’s currently creating the a brand-new three-star course, in which the organizers are investing more than $65,000 to build.
“Ian gives us so many different questions that you don’t see anywhere else,” said Smith, who has competed all across the continent. “I’m excited that he’s the course designer here because he doesn’t just settle for what he did here last year.”
Stark also designs the cross-country courses for the CCI2*, the CCI1*, the classic-format CCI1* and the training-level three-day event, the other four levels held in conjunction with the CCI3*. Galway Downs is the only event in North America to offer competition at all five of these five levels.
The Galway Downs CCI3* will offer $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 three firms— Professional’s Choice equine products, Point Two Air Jackets USA, and the Professional Riders Organization— helps make these prizes possible.
Other 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.
Dressage begins on Friday, Nov. 5, at 8 a.m. The exciting and all- important cross-country phase runs on Saturday, and the three-day events climax on Sunday with show jumping.
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).
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