Tony Suraci on stage as The Highwayman (Galway Downs Press Office)
But the trees are just the beginning of the steps organizer Robert Kellerhouse has taken to make the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event even more of an attractive event for competitors and for spectators.
“The new trees make the cross-country course, and the whole grounds, feel much more welcoming and interesting. Their effect is amazing,” said Kellerhouse.
Many of these trees will provide a beautiful backdrop to four entertainment stations that will be located around the acclaimed cross-country course designed by British Olympic medalist Ian Stark. Each of these four stations, three of which will be near the three water complexes, will offer spectators seating, food and music by acoustical guitarists. Once the cross-country competition has finished on Saturday afternoon, a live band will entertain spectators, volunteers, officials and competitors in the trade fair near the main arena.
Thursday night’s welcome party will feature live classical jazz music, but the weekend’s musical highlight will be on Friday evening, following the completion of the dressage phase. Tony Suraci of Murrieta, Calif., will perform as The Highwayman, a musical tribute to the legendary artists Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and Waylon Jennings. Suraci plays three different guitars like those used by these superstars and sings four or five songs by each of them. These songs include Nelson’s “Mamas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” and “On The Road Again,” Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues” and “Ring of Fire,” and Jennings’ “Luchenbach Texas.”
Galway Downs will offer more than musical entertainment, though. Automotive fans will enjoy navigating the hills, ditches and water on the Land Rover test-drive course, located next to the Galway Downs cross-country course. Land Rover is the official automotive sponsor of the U.S. Equestrian Federation and the official vehicle of the U.S. Eventing Team, so spectators and competitors will have a chance to navigate one of these exceptional vehicles around a unique obstacle course built just for the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event—it’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Land Rover, the Professional Riders Organization, Professional’s Choice and Equine Insurance of California are the presenting sponsors of the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event.
The Professional Riders Organization was founded in 2009 by more than two dozen upper-level event riders who sought to raise the profile of eventing, broaden its reach with spectators and fans, and work to promote horse and rider safety. In 2010, PRO was incorporated as a non-profit trade association. A portion of all tickets sales will benefit Operation Homefront, PRO’s charitable partner.
Professional’s Choice, a leader in the equine-care industry, offers a wide range of products whose purpose is to protect horses and riders from athletic injuries. Their technologically advanced products, made for both the English and Western disciplines, include protective and therapeutic boots and wraps, saddle pads, girths and apparel.
Equine Insurance of California, owned by long-time Galway Downs supporters Joe Parker and Donna Chopp, has generously donated the warm-up ring where competitors will do their critical final preparation to attack the cross-country course.
The generous additional sponsors of the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event include: Advanced Protection Formula by Auburn Laboratories Inc., American Medical Response, the American Horse Trials Foundation, Big Horse Feed, California Horse Trader, California Riding Magazine, Charles Owen, Devoucoux Bairritz-France, Doug Hannum Equine Therapy, Embassy Suites Hotel, Equine Comfort Products, Flair Equine Nasal Strips, Geranium Street Equestrian, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, KATY 101.3 FM, Ludus Tours, MDBarnmaster, Point Two Air Jackets, Ride On Video, Smartpak Equine, Sunsprite Warmbloods, Temecula Creek Inn and Voltaire Design.
The total prize money for the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event is $33,000, including a $21,000 purse for the CCI3*.
General admission for the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event is $8 per day in advance, $10 at the gate, on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. General admission for Saturday’s cross-country is $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Children are free when accompanied by a paying adult. Patron’s passes—which include seating in the ringside tent, lunch and a full selection of beverages—are also available for $55 per day or $150 for the weekend 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. To learn more about eventing, visit the U.S. Eventing Association’s website (www.useventing.com)