Having three amazing educational offerings in January is the perfect way to kick off the Galway Downs 2025 calendar.
At the eventing and dressage competitions managed in-house by the Galway Downs team, we’re growing each competition and the calendar. Our goal is to provide advancement and qualification opportunities for horse/riders pairs in these disciplines.
Competitive, educational and/or for fun – hopefully all three – each of our events is getting its own close-up to see where and how we can elevate the experience for everyone – from horses and riders to family and new fans of the sport.
The LA28 Olympics will be here before we know it. We know that our dedication to both exhibitors’ and the public’s experience is a huge part of building an enduring fan base that will last long after the Games.
In addition to the shows our Robert Kellerhouse-led team organizes, the many equestrian competitions and other events staged at Galway but managed by others are equally important to our mission. The venue is improving every day and flourishing with tournaments for several breeds and levels of equestrian sport and – new this year – dog agility!
One way or another, everything that happens here fits into the “Celebration Of Life” that is Ken and Tina Smith’s mission since they bought Galway Downs.
Make a plan to come out for something new and special in the upcoming months.
Here’s a complete schedule for the first quarter, followed by highlights for the rest of the year. Keep checking the calendar because there’s more to come…
January’s Educational Opportunities & First Quarter Highlights
Jan 14-16: USEA Eventing Coaches Program. This is a continuing education clinic for Eventing Coaches Program certified coaches, but you don’t have to be an ECP Certified Coach to attend. This educational seminar is open to everyone interested in learning more about eventing coaching and instruction.
The faculty was just announced and it’s rock-star level: Jennifer Rousseau, Area VI’s own 5* pro Bec Braitling; Mary D’Arcy; Emily Mastervich; and Olympic Gold Medalist David O’Connor.
You can sign up here. For more information, please contact Brandi Bishop at [email protected].
Jan 18-19: The Galway Downs Fundraising Clinic & Eventing Showcase has an an exciting new twist.
Ian Stark returns as a featured clinician along with Jock Paget, and they’ll both work with riders through the day in group or individual sessions. In the afternoon, when clinic participants are done with their sessions and can watch, Ian and Jock will work one-on-one with top international pairs – Tamie Smith and Mai Baum and James Alliston and Karma. Jock and James will work together on Friday and Tamie and Ian on Saturday, both at 4.
It’s an unusual chance to see top pairs put through their paces. Ian, Jock, Tamie and James will have portable microphones on so attendees can hear their feedback.
VIP Pavilion access is included with fundraiser clinic fees, the bar will open at 3:30 p.m. and it’s Urban Pizza one night and Galway’s famous oyster bar the next. Auditors are invited for $100.
Sign up for the Fundraiser Clinic here.
Get more information here.
Jan. 25-26: Tom McEwen Clinic
This is an unusual opportunity to ride with or watch British Olympic gold medalist Tom McEwen, MBE. Tom and JL Dublin helped the British team to eventing gold in Paris, and he ascended to the FEI Eventing #1 spot last August. Tom and Toledo De Kerser earned their first Olympic team gold in Tokyo, where they also claimed individual silver.
Read more about Tom and the clinic here.
Riding spots filled up right away and auditors are welcome. A $100 auditing fee includes food and one drink ticket per day, Email [email protected] to audit.
Jan. 31-Feb. 2, Galway Downs Kickoff Horse Trials. After January’s educational sessions, riders and horses should be tuned up for our season-starter national horse trials.
Feb. 15-16: Sweetheart Driving Horse Trial & Combined Test. This combined driving event was a big hit among contenders, volunteers and fans last year. Whip’R Snapper Driving Society of Southern California organizes with divisions for everything from adorable Miniature horses to large draft breeds. They race through cones courses, across obstacle tracks on the cross-country field and perform elegant dressage.
Feb. 15-16: Papillon Club of Southern California dog agility event. This is the first of several dog agility classes throughout the year. Given that most horse owners love dogs, too, we’re guessing there’ll be a lot of mutual appreciation.
March 6-9: Pacific Coast National Dressage Show. This is the first in Pacific Coast’s three-show series of dressage events. The competition is rated by United States Dressage Federation and California Dressage Show for those seeking qualifying scores for various year-end awards and championships.
“Opportunity classes” are new this year for those who are not USEF members but want the constructive experience of riding in front of large S judges. For eventers and those bringing along young horses, the Opportunity classes are “very inviting for people who want the practice of a big show environment at a schooling show price,” says Katy Robinson, Galway Downs Vendor and Sponsor coordinator.
The gem in the Pacific Coast Dressage series is our international show, the CDI, set for May 1-4. Our region is deep with Olympic dressage veterans and hopefuls and they’ll be out in force for this FEI event now organized by Galway Downs.
Pacific Coast Cheers to Summer closes our dressage circuit June 13-15.
March 27-30: Galway Downs International Horse Trials. This cornerstone of the West Coast eventing calendar hosts new perspectives this year. Area VII organizer Christel Carson, MD, (Spokane Horse Trials) is booked as Ground Jury president as a fresh face on the panel. She’ll mix with a few other officials that are new to Galway Downs, broadening the range of feedback and experiences that our always-valuable officials contribute.
Rest of the Year Highlights
Eventing Shows:
Galway Downs Spring Horse Trials and Preliminary Challenge run May 9-11 with excitement over our unique Challenge format. This is when lower levels get their chance to shine in the electric atmosphere of the Grand Prix Arena for dressage and show jumping. Increased difficulty levels encourage pushing limits or getting ready to step up a level.
Visit Kellerhouse Presents for more information on in-house managed eventing competitions through the year.
The United States Eventing Association’s American Eventing Championships – August 26-31.
Usually held on the East Coast, the event organized by USEA is sure to bring new out-of-area contenders. Every year, many of our region’s riders qualify for these Championships and those who make the long trip to compete typically do very well. Having the event at Galway is a great opportunity for the many pairs who qualify to go after national titles without having to cross the country.
Visit USEA for more information on this USEA-managed event.
Galway Downs International Horse Trials & Regional Championships wrap up the 2025 circuit on an invariably high note. Every year this event attracts more pairs and from further afield. With the LA28 Games on the horizon, we expect the field may soon include contenders traveling here from outside of the States.
Visit Kellerhouse Presents for more information on in-house managed eventing competitions.
Game Changing Hunter-Jumper Competition.
We are thrilled to continue Ali and Francie Nilforushans’ three series of hunter/jumper events and their surrounding social swirls – starting with the Temecula Valley National Premier Series April 16 – 27.
The Nilforushans’ genius in staging these shows was internationally acknowledged when Equine Network, LLC, purchased a controlling interest in Nilforushan Equisport Events late last year. “This collaboration aims to further enhance the competitor experience in Southern California and make the West Coast the preferred destination for hunter/jumper events,” the Equine Network release stated.
The Temecula Valley National Series begins May 21 – June 8, then we jump to the fall with Temecula Valley National Fall Series that run Oct. 1-19.
Breed Shows
We’re thrilled to have Arabians and Peruvian Pasos return to strut their stuff this year. The Rancho California Arabian Horse Association has their event April 3-5 and the Southern California Peruvian Paso Horse Club return Sept. 5-7.
Bookmark our calendar and check it frequently. See you soon!
