Temecula, CA — A total of 57 horses passed the horse inspection at the Galway Downs International Horse Trials this afternoon. The ground jury accepted all 14 of the CIC3* horses presented to them without a second look. All 14 of the CC2* horses who were presented today will also start in dressage tomorrow.

This afternoon also featured the presentation of 19 of the 20 horses offered for sale in the third annual Elite Event Horse Auction. The horses range from just-started Thoroughbreds and warmbloods to an experienced intermediate-level competitor, with prices ranging from $5,000 to $65,000.

For the first time, the Elite Event Horse Auction is also offering services to three stallions—For Play (by Olympic show jumper For Pleasure), Claire De Lune SE (winner of the U.S. Eventing Association’s West Coast Young Event Horse Championship in 2010) and Leyasta (an advanced-level competitor).

The international competitors accepted for competition today will perform in dressage and show jumping tomorrow, Friday, April 1. The CIC2* will start at 8:15 a.m. and run until 10:30, before judges Wayne Quarles of the United States and Kellie Towers of Canada in Ring 1, while the CIC1* horses will compete in Ring 2 at the same time. The CIC3* horses will compete in Ring 1 from 11:00 until 1:00.

The CIC1* horses will be first in the show jumping ring, at 1:30 p.m., followed by the CIC2* at 3:05 and then the CIC3* from 4:15 until 4:50.

Then, on Saturday, April 2, the international horses and riders will gallop over Ian Stark’s beautifully redesigned and spectator-friendly cross-country course. The excitement will build to a peak as the horses start on course in reverse order of standing, with the first-placed horse being the final starter. Awards for the international divisions will be presented at the gala party on Saturday evening.

The CIC2* cross-country runs from 11:25 a.m. to 12:25 p.m., with the CIC3* running from 1:10 until 2:00.

Follow the action on Friday and Saturday on Twitter. Check the Galway Downs homepage (www.galwaydowns.com) for more information.

The national advanced, intermediate and preliminary divisions will meet the cross-country course’s challenges on Saturday too, and then they’ll be featured in Sunday’s climactic show jumping phase. The training and novice divisions will tackle the cross-country course on Sunday.

Point Two Air Jackets, Professional’s Choice, Equine Comfort Products, and the USEA Gold Cup Series are the presenting sponsors of the Galway Downs International Horse Trials.

Other generous sponsors of the Galway Downs International Horse Trials include: CWD Saddlery, Sunsprite Warmbloods, Voltaire Design, Advanced Protection Formula by Auburn Laboratories Inc., Big Horse Feed, Equine Insurance of California, Doug Hannum Equine Therapy, Riding’s Publications Inc., Smartpak Equine, and the California Horse Trader.

General admission for the Galway Downs International Horse Trials 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 online to www.galwaydowns.com.

For more information on the Galway Downs Horse Trials, visit www.galwaydowns.com or call 951-303-0405. To learn more about eventing, visit the U.S. Eventing Association’s Web site, www.useventing.com.

ENDS