Robyn Fisher, 26, of Topanga, CA, was the wire-to-wire winner of the FEI World Cup Qualifier (CIC***-W) at Galway Downs, CA, on April 2, on her 11-year-old Holsteiner Thoroughbred gelding, Le Samurai, with a score of 75.6. Fisher finished each of the three days as the top rider in dressage, cross-country and jumping. She also won the CIC** on Lady Calido, a 10-year-old Holsteiner, and received prize money totaling more than $6,000 for winning both classes.

"I had a great day," said Fisher, who had an error-free run in jumping to capture first in CIC***-W and stay ahead of the other riders. "I had no room for error and wanted to finish clean." She received a check for $4,500 for her efforts and the Inaugural Augie Handley Memorial Trophy, which was donated by Santa Fe Hunt of Del Mar.

Horses and crowds braved wet weather to attend the three-day event, which included a Pet Expo for the first time this year. "We are real pleased that the Pet Expo will become a permanent attraction at Galway Downs every year," said event organizer Robert Kellerhouse. "We are working very hard to make sure residents of Southern California realize that we are expanding a world-class equestrian event and making Galway Downs a wonderful family attraction as well."

Finishing second to Fisher was Jennifer Wooten, 28, of Buellton, CA, on her 10-year-old Irish Thoroughbred mare, The Good Witch, with 78.8 penalty score in her first World Cup event. She had the best time on what other riders described a tough cross-country course that was made tougher in wet weather. "It (the rain) didn't bother me," she said. "I liked the course even though it was challenging in places." She received $3,000 and a leather halter.

Lauren Whitlock, 21, of Rohnert Park, CA, and her 13 year-old Thoroughbred gelding, Kipling, were third with a score of 78.7.

Finishing second in the CIC** with a score of 61.5 was Kelly Prather of Bodego Bay, CA, on Ballinakill, a 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse. Lisa Marie Fergusson of Langley, British Columbia, held on to her overnight third place with a clean run and a score of 62.6 on Uni Griffon, an eight-year-old Welsh Sport Horse.

Despite lowering a rail on the final day, Fiona Dodson of La Canada Flintridge, CA, rode Happy Go Lucky III to a strong performance in dressage and jumping in the CIC* for the win. "He was very good today," she said of her nine-year-old chesnut gelding. "I probably could have ridden him better."

Finishing second with a 47.9 was Morgan Roundtree of Grass Valley, CA, on Sherwood, an eight-year-old Thoroughbred. Jessica Rice of Kingsburg, CA, scored 50.4 to finish third on I'm So Brite, an 11-year-old Thoroughbred.

Galway Downs is a 240-acre, world class equestrian facility in Temecula. It is located in the heart of Valle de los Caballos (Valley of the Horses), which includes about 2,000 acres south of Temecula's Wine Country.

Full results are posted on the web site at www.galwaydowns.com.


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