Temecula, Calif., Nov. 6, 2010 — So far, so good for
Katherine Groesbeck from Wilton, Calif., at the Galway Downs
International Three-Day Event. She is currently keeping control
of the top two places in the classic-format CCI1* aboard her
homebred Anglo-Arabs.
Oz Proof of Purchase, owned by her mother, Teresa, is
first with 46.2 penalties, and Oz The Tin Man is right behind
with 47.2 penalties. Olympic silver medalist Gina Miles is third
on Katherine Sulzbach’s Wallenda (50.4), having added only 1.6
time penalties on the steeplechase phase to their score.
Groesbeck’s two horses are full brothers, and Oz The Tin
Man is a veteran of the classic format, having competed in the
training three-day event at Galway Downs last year. Teresa
bred the two geldings, and Katherine’s father, Jim, started them
under saddle. Both horses have competed in endurance races
up to 50 miles, have worked cattle on their ranch, and have
competed in pure dressage, with Oz The Tin Man competing to
the Prix St. Georges level.
“The sibling rivalry can get intense,” joked Groesbeck, 21.
“But I guess you could say they’ve done a bit of everything.
“They are really bred for the endurance of the classic
format, and I wanted to do it as a personal goal,” said
Groesbeck of her decision to start both horses in the classic-
format CCI1*. “It’s a unique experience.”
The brothers lived up to her expectations on course. “They
both just really clocked around,” she said with a smile.
In the training three-day event, division A leaders Erin
Spohr, of Auburn, Calif., and Bravo kept their lead with a clean
speed and endurance performance to stand on 26.3 penalties.
Chris Misita’s chestnut Oldenburg stallion put in a confident
performance to stay ahead of second-placed Erin Kellerhouse
on Cheryl Reynolds’ Roxabelle (26.8). Tory Smith and Bantry
Bay V stand third (29.0).
“It was one of the best things I could have ever done with
him,” said Spohr of her classic-format experience. “After doing
steeplechase, he went out on cross- country like he was a
different horse—he was fabulous.
“I think the training three-day is one of the best things you
can do with a young horse,” she added.
In division B, the standings also remained unchanged,
with Sierra Mathias and Regal Exit adding no additional points
to their dressage score of 30.4, to stay ahead of equally clean
Tristen Hooks and Learning To Fly (30.7) and Zoe Winokur and
Maletto V (32.3).
Mathias, 16, from Castro Valley, Calif., is competing in her
first classic-format event, and she’s sold on the experience.
“Ever since they created it, I wanted to do it. It has always been
my goal with this horse,” she said. “And now my goal for next
year is the [classic-format CCI1*].
“The course was super fun. Awesome!” she enthused.
Competition concludes tomorrow (Sunday) with the
show jumping phase, beginning with the training three-day
event at 9:00 a.m. The modern-format and classic-format CCI1*
divisions are scheduled to run from 11:00 to 1:00, followed by
the CCI2* and then the CC3*, finishing at approximately 3:00
p.m.
All told, the Galway Downs International Three-Day
Event ill 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.
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