December brings an exceptional gift of horsemanship education to Galway Downs with the Ingrid Klimke Masterclass in the Wine Country.
The German horsewoman carries on the legacy of her famous horseman father Reiner Klimke. She is a three-time Olympic eventing medalist and is concurrently pursuing highest level dressage.
Set for the weekend of Dec. 2-3, the Masterclass will emphasize Ingrid’s foundational methods for developing horses from youngsters up through the Grand Prix level. Her classical training methods apply equally to dressage and jumping horses.
The Masterclass is organized by Entrigue Consulting, with presenting sponsor Lisa Seger Insurance. The equestrian marketing firm’s chief, Kelly Artz, explains that Galway Downs was chosen for several reasons. Excellent infrastructure in the form of international competition-caliber footing for the horses and extensive VIP amenities for spectators weighed heavily in the selection.
“The investments that have been made with Robert Kellerhouse and the Nilforushans’ Equisport Events makes it a perfect place to stage an event like this,” Kelly says. The venue’s central location in the Temecula Valley Wine Country is another plus.
Above all, Kelly knew there would be an eager audience. “California has a strong equestrian community that really cares about education and learning,” Kelly states. “Learning from Ingrid is equally exciting to dressage, eventing and jumping riders and Galway Downs is highly regarded in all three disciplines.”
The Masterclass weekend includes intense instruction in the arena, candid conversations with Ingrid for VIP tickets holders and a busy shopping area perfectly timed for holiday gift buying.
Applications for the approximately 13-15 horses accepted far exceeded the spots available and are being reviewed now. The clinic format is expected to have just a few horses per session and grouped by their level of training and development.
“Ingrid is making sure we have different types of horses so that everyone gets more to take home and work on with their horses,” Kelly explains. The foundation of flatwork is the focus, with the incorporation of the gymnastic benefits of cavalletti work and development of movements and level progression in most sessions.
The 4th edition of Ingrid and Reiner Klimke’s Cavalletti For Dressage and Jumping will be available for purchase with tickets and while supplies last. Autograph sessions are set for Saturday and Sunday, and VIP admission includes a Saturday Q&A session, “conversations with Ingrid” during afternoon tea, presented by Disc Sports and Spine and Tracey Kenney-Bray.
General admission and VIP tickets are available now, along with vendor and sponsorship opportunities. Click here for more information.