LOS ANGELES, CA—Galway Downs officials publicly commented Monday about a proposal to move the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics equestrian events to their 240-acre facility just outside Temecula city limits.
It’s the first time anyone from the facility has publicly confirmed the Games could be coming to the region.
“I had high hopes for the property when we bought it [in 2010],” Galway Downs owner Ken Smith said. “But hosting the Olympics never crossed my mind for a second.”
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That is all changing.
The Olympic equestrian and para-equestrian 2028 competitions were expected to be held in the Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area in Los Angeles County, but are now targeted for Galway Downs. In a cryptic June 21 press release, the Olympic organizing committee known as LA28 announced the equestrian portion of the Games would move to “an exceptional existing facility in Temecula, CA, that is the only such facility in Southern California large enough to accommodate all required disciplines in one location.”
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Galway Downs is a picturesque facility studded by oak trees and offering expansive open-space views. Tucked away off 79 South at 38801 Los Corralitos Road, the venue features 400 permanent horse stalls, a 1-mile race track, a 5/8-mile training track, 14 competition arenas, 15 miles of riding trails, 49 RV hook-ups and other amenities.
Equestrian comprises three disciplines at the Olympic Games — dressage, jumping and eventing — with men and women competing on equal terms. With its size and existing infrastructure, Galway Downs can host them all. It is recognized as one of the world’s premier equestrian venues.
According to Galway officials, several key people brought Galway to the LA28 discussion table.
Ali and Francie Nilforushan of Nilforushan Equisport Events are among them. Ali is an Olympic equestrian who represented Iran in show jumping at the 2000 Games in Sydney. Both Nilforushans currently bring high-level equestrian competitions to Galway.
Ali put the bug in Smith’s ear.
“It’s a venue to rally around,” Ali said of Galway. “It’s been three years already of dreaming and praying about this … .”
Another important player has been veteran sports tourism consultant Mike Millay, of Clancy’s Sports Properties. He called contacts at LA28, and a three-year dialogue began.
“I think the [LA28] committee recognized good facility operators [at Galway],” Millay said. “They know how to focus on athlete safety — in this case that of the horses and the riders. And they understand what the guest experience ideally should be. That’s where I think a lot of venues and operators miss the mark — in not truly understanding that their customer is the person who pays for everything at the end of the day.”
Robert Kellerhouse is Galway’s longtime facility manager and competition organizer. He is a horseman with an extensive history in California’s equestrian world and has also worked to bring the 2028 Games to Galway.
He is following in his mother’s footsteps. The late Anne Kellerhouse made many contributions to equestrian sport, including working at the 1984 Olympic eventing competition held at the Fairbanks Ranch Country Club in San Diego.
“It was unbelievable to have the Olympics there,” Kellerhouse remembers.
Millay estimates the Galway Downs proposal will be approved in early 2025. However, the Los Angeles City Council must still formally approve LA28’s request to host equestrian events at Galway Downs.
Sustainability, legacy and fiscal responsibility factor heavily in Olympic venue change proposals, though Galway’s ability to host all three equestrian events also meets new International Olympic Committee mandates, according to Galway officials.
“There are so many different players in the mix, it just takes a while to navigate all the priorities,” Millay said.
Additions and improvements will be made at Galway once the Los Angeles approval is given.
According to Millay, “LA28 is extremely conscientious about trying to leave Galway Downs in a better place after the Olympics.”
The venue has a headstart in many ways, Galway officials contend. The Nilforushans’ hunter/jumper events sometimes draw 600-700 horses, compared to the approximately 200 horses — in total — that will compete in the three Olympic equestrian events.
Spectator seating will need to be created at Galway.
“Think of a PGA golf tournament that has to build temporary stands,” Millay said. “With the tech and construction materials available today, you can create a very wonderful experience in a temporary environment that doesn’t feel temporary.
Smith said he is excited about the potential of bringing the world to Temecula Valley — and to help horses and the equestrian lifestyle keep their place in it.
“Temecula is a great tourist town and an attractive place to host an event like this,” Smith said. “And I think it’s going to help the equestrian world come together. I hope it helps us work together more going forward — between the different disciplines that often don’t talk to each other. I hope it can be a way to protect and advance the equestrian lifestyle for everybody.”
Millay, however, said that it’s not just about the equestrian community: “It’s about the bigger Olympic family — for Southern California and the United States.”
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