Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.
The annual Galway Downs fundraising clinic is set for its 26th year – Jan. 19-26, 2024 and sign-ups are open now!
Olympic eventers Ian Stark and Jock Paget are the featured clinicians. Land Rover Kentucky 5* winner Tamie Smith headlines a roster of 24 “local” eventing professionals ready to share their expertise. Friday, January 19 features private dressage lesson opportunities with Donna Weinberg or Jo Moran.
The clinic began as and continues to be a way to help fund first-class eventing competition and it’s become a fixture on the West Coast calendar.
Deb Rosen asserts that it’s much more than a money-maker. “It’s my favorite weekend of the year,” says the Wild Ride Eventers proprietor who has participated from the get-go.
A Base Builder
Funds raised from the clinic go to ongoing venue improvements and maintenance. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.
“It started as a grassroots event,” she recalls. “Getting everybody together at a time when Galway Downs was new and we wanted to help promote all the efforts being made on behalf of eventers in our area.”
Since then, the clinic has become key to building the base for the sport. Deb is based at the El Sueno Equestrian Center north of Los Angeles. She sees a thriving community of professionals helping riders at the entry and lower levels of eventing.
At the Galway fundraiser, these pros can ride themselves and bring students. Deb estimates that many of those kids and adults will be riding off property for the first time.
One of the most in-demand professionals on the roster, Deb is happy to work with all levels, perhaps especially those relative newbies who want an adventure and education without being overwhelmed. “It’s fine with me if you just want to walk over logs on the ground,” she says. “All of these riders contribute to building up the base of the sport.”
Deb sees the ripple effect of participating in the clinic. Initially, riders stick with her year after year, then gradually branch out. “They’ll ask me, ‘Do you think it’s OK if I ride with someone else?’ That gives me chills when they want to ride with another educator.”
The clinic is part and parcel of Galway Downs’ support of the region’s horses and riders, Deb adds. “I can’t thank Robert Kellerhouse enough for what he has done for our sport and for me personally. There are so many things I would not have been able to experience if it wasn’t for Robert. He and Katy Robinson are just delightful.”
Katy Robinson is coaching herself and suggests another benefit of the clinic – “It’s a great way to check out a trainer you might be considering working with. It’s a super opportunity to see them work.”
The clinic welcomes spectators, although care must be taken while walking on cross-country as there are often a few groups working in different parts of the course. It’s a great way to learn more about cross-country in general and to see how a range of professionals approach various questions on course. In past years, a few brave hunter/jumper riders have entered at the lower levels to test the eventing waters.
A social gathering on Saturday evening adds to the weekend fun.
How It Works
Photo by Sally Spickard.
The Standard Clinic program includes Saturday and Sunday group cross-country lessons, with stabling included. Group or private lessons with Jock and private lessons with Ian Stark are separate options that do not include stabling in the entry fee. Ian and Jock offer dressage, show jumping and cross-country.
At press time, the professionals donating “Standard” cross-country clinic experiences are Allyson Hartenburg, Auburn Excell Brady, Barb Crabo, Chloe Smyth, Deb Rosen, Emilee Libby, Erin Kellerhouse, Frederic Bouland, Gina Economou, Hawley Bennett Awad, Jennifer Johnson, Katie Willis, Katy Robinson, Kaylawna Smith Cook, Kim Goto Miner, Lisa Sabo, Mickayla Howard, Megan McIver, Olivia Putrino, Stacia Arnold, Susan Friend, Tamie Smith, Taren Hoffos and McKenzie Rollins.
Groups are organized by skill and experience level, from. The closing date for entries is January 12. Slots fill up fast and additional clinicians are often added to the roster.
