Horses are at the heart of Galway Downs’ heritage, but it’s another sport that is responsible for helping the venue become a premier place to prepare for and compete in international equestrian competition.
That is soccer, and the five boys of Galway Downs’ owners, Ken and Tina Smith, who played it as kids.
“All our boys played club soccer and Temecula did not have any local tournaments,” Ken explains. “We were traveling about 30 weekends a year. We wanted to play at home.”
So he built a soccer complex on land leased from the Rancho California Water District.
It wasn’t a big money maker, but the 20-field John Blanche Memorial Soccer Complex met the Smiths’ priority of letting their boys pursue high level sport without having to travel all the time. That worked for 10 years until the Water District ended the lease.
Concurrently, the 242-acre Galway Downs property, then called the Southern California Equestrian Center, continued its descent into disrepair and foreclosure. “I went over and spoke to (equestrian center manager) Robert Kellerhouse about bringing the sports field model there.”
Boarding, a few competitions and racehorse training were the property’s only revenue generators at the time and Ken recognized that as economically unsustainable.
A lifelong horseman, Robert was not initially thrilled with the idea of mixing horses and soccer, Ken recalls. But he quickly warmed to the vision of a parklike environment with green expanses, water features and hospitality promoting a “celebration of life” — the Smiths’ guiding principle.
Enter An Entrepreneur
Named Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 1999, Ken re-established Galway Downs’ original name and re-branded it as a “A Legend Reborn.”
Three distinct business entities now make it a viable enterprise: the sports fields, which stage soccer and lacrosse; equestrian; and the wedding and special events venue. Enhancements to each component enhance the whole, including and most importantly in the Smiths’ playbook — the visitor experience.
On-site housing with Kentina’s Ranch Houses appeals to those participating in Galway events and those visiting Temecula for its wineries, balloon adventures and other attractions.
“We bought the property in October of 2010 and I went to my first three-day event that November,” Ken shares. “People had flown in from around the world to compete here and they were doing it among weeds and dirt.”
Equestrians still fly in from faraway places, but weeds and ungroomed dirt are gone. In their place are approximately 4,000+ new trees, lush landscaping and appealing water features – on the cross-country course and throughout the property. They’re far from finished. More water elements, landscaping upgrades and an improved arrival experience are on the agenda. Creating more spaces for special spectator experiences is on the docket, too.
If You Build It…
Promoting Galway Downs’ equestrian activity is the Smiths’ next priority. “For every 100 people in Temecula, 99 have no idea that these equestrian events go on,” Ken reflects. “They know about Galway Downs because their kids played sports here or a friend got married here, but not the equestrian sports.
“It’s our intention to change that.”
The first “Bridle Brunch” on Friday Nov. 1, 2024, proved that “If you build it, they will come.”
The idea was hatched just one week before the Eventing Championships at Galway Downs. Yet Bridle Brunch drew 400+ people to luxury tents situated at high-action points on the cross-country course. As international level competitors galloped through the Oasis water complex, guests were splash-close to the action as they enjoyed mimosas, a gourmet buffet and the company of Temecula’s leaders, movers, shakers and friends.
Pulling off the gala affair on one week’s planning epitomizes the good that comes from Ken’s leadership motto: “Teamwork makes the dream work.”
“I find eventing extremely entertaining and impressive,” Ken asserts. “All the friends and family that we had here for the Bridle Brunch really enjoyed it.”
The Smiths are thrilled with Galway Downs’ rebirth. “There is more equestrian activity than there’s ever been,” Ken enthuses. “And we’ve never had bigger shows. Ali and Francie Nilforushan (of Nilforushan Equisport Events) put on very big, successful hunter/jumper competitions and we have shows in several other disciplines.”
On the eventing front, things don’t get bigger than the USEA’s American Eventing Championships, presented by Nutrena, coming August 27-31, 2025.
“We are honored and truly excited to welcome the American Eventing Championships to Southern California for the first time in history,” Ken says. “Hosting this prestigious event is a milestone for our facility and a celebration for the entire West Coast eventing community.”
“It has been our mission to create a world-class venue that reflects the strength, dedication, and heart of equestrian sport,” the entrepreneur continues. “To see the AEC come to life at Galway Downs is deeply meaningful—and we are grateful to the United States Eventing Association for the trust and partnership that made it possible.”
Work Boot-Wearing Businessman
Although he’s relatively new to the equestrian world, Ken is a great ambassador, community liaison, business-savvy advisor and fan.
He often wears shorts, colorful shirts and work boots, including when interviewed by major TV outlets and when addressing guests at the Bridle Brunch. His friendly demeanor is ideal in a sport often described in potentially intimidating phrases — like “the sport of kings.”
Ken may eschew conventional business attire, but business success is a big part of his story.
Ken started what is now Southwest Traders 50 years ago. He was 20 and bought one van from which he sold health foods – fresh juices, smoothies, whole grain breads, etc. Supply chain innovations, leading the frozen yogurt craze, and building a network of distribution centers were key to Southwest Trader’s growth. It now employees 500 people and is one of the top 50 privately owned food service companies in the United States.
He handed over Southwest Traders’ presidential reins and operations in 2016, turning his attention to the Kentina Hospitality Group. That’s the umbrella for he and Tina’s current business passions. In addition to Galway Downs, Kentina Hospitality includes Danza del Sol Winery, Galway Spirits and the Native Falls Campground.
Ken is a majority owner of the Cross Creek Golf Club in Temecula and serves as a Visit Temecula Valley board member. His many accolades include the 2024 Welty Award for Tourism Professional of the Year, awarded by Visit Temecula Valley.
Tried and True Temeculans
Ken and Tina have lived in Temecula for 30 years. Their commitment to preserving and promoting the equestrian lifestyle, there and beyond, is equal parts personal and business driven – much like the family soccer path that led them to Galway Downs.
They live near Galway Downs and own two horses, one Miniature horse and a pony. Four of their 13 grandchildren are taking riding lessons, two at Green Acres Ranch and two at Galway Downs.
They are “100% in favor” of having their grandchildren get involved with horses, Tina asserts “Having a horse is a lot of responsibility. It teaches a lot of lessons and requires hard work yet is something they can really enjoy. Plus, just being outdoors is something we are big advocates for.”
Beyond that, the Smiths love Galway Downs’ ability to preserve the place horses hold in Temecula’s heritage. From ranching to racing, horses have been an important part of the region’s remarkable growth. “We are proud to support the equestrian heritage of the Temecula Valley—a region rich in horse tradition and community spirit,” Ken shares.
