Galway Downs Equestrian Center

Volunteer Spotlight – Lorraine Heath

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Newly located to Southern California in 2019, Lorraine Heath prioritized developing an equestrian community like what she’d enjoyed in eastern Washington. The dedicated horse owner, competitor and volunteer got settled in Hemet in October of that year and jumped into volunteering at Galway Down’s international event in November.

Lorraine was deeply entrenched in the horse community in Washington. She organized hunter/jumper and dressage shows and competed and volunteered at eventing competitions. Those experiences confirmed her conviction that eventing would not exist without volunteers. She helps consistently, even when she’s competing and handling all her own horse’s preparation and care.

Lorraine trains with Kim Scheid of Spring Creek Training Center, where volunteering is promoted as something every responsible eventer does. Period. End of story.

The Juggling Act

One of Galway Downs’ 2023 Power Volunteers, Lorraine notes that Bernie Low and her fellow volunteer committee members make it feasible for busy exhibitors to chip in.

“They are very accommodating. They know I won’t be there at the first crack of dawn because I already have a lot of experience in most of the positions. Or, often, I can’t do a whole half-day of volunteering if I’m competing. I know it’s more work for the coordinators to juggle that, but they do a great job making it easy for us competitors to volunteer.”

In addition to helping her sport, Lorraine knew that volunteering would quickly plug her into the Southern California horse scene. “I got to know the local equestrian community and meet horsey people,” she says. “Plus, I enjoy getting a front row seat to watch the sport.”

She enjoys several positions. Scribing for dressage judges at the highest level is always an education and inspiration, she notes. Scribing at her own level, currently Beginner Novice-Novice, is packed with learning opportunities, too.

Giving Back Feels Good

In late June, Lorraine even volunteered at the Sweetheart Horse Driving Trials staged at Galway Downs. She scribed for the cones course judge on Saturday and served as an obstacle judge on Sunday. “That was really fun and they did as good a job of welcoming volunteers as the Galway organizers do.”

It feels good to give back to the sport. If she’s managing the cross-country warm-up ring, for example, Lorraine enjoys “Helping people feel comfortable they are not going to miss their time. Or keeping everybody in the loop if something has changed.”

She knows from experience the frustration and nerve-wrackedness of having your horse ready to go for a set start time that gets delayed. Things happen, of course, but keeping competitors informed and on track helps ensure that misunderstandings or mistakes won’t be the cause of those delays.

“I see it from both sides,” she shares. “It drives me nuts when things are supposed to happen at a certain time, but they’re not because somebody is just not getting in gear. Then your horse who needed 15 minutes of warm-up is now getting 30 minutes.” She likes the usually precise timing of eventing competition. “You can plan your day and your life and there is less stress and you’re less tired.”

Hungarian Sport Horse Fan

Lorraine rides a Hungarian Sport Horse named TMAC HS Zane. The Hungarian Horse Association of American defines Zane as a “Hungarian Sportlo,” which means he’s crossbred – in Zane’s case with a Trakehner and a Thoroughbred in the Seattle Slew line.

Her previous horse was a pure-bred Hungarian, a “Felver,” mare, a rarity in the United States. A positive experience with that horse inspired Lorraine’s ongoing involvement with the North American breed organization and led her to Zane.

Partners for nearly four years, Lorraine and Zane are working on the step-up from Beginner Novice to Novice. The plan is to run the Classic Series at Ram Tap in October, then consider moving up.

A Helping Nature

Lorraine’s desire to help extends beyond the horse world.

She enjoyed a career in law enforcement for 25 years, as a civilian expert in forensic analysis. She moved to California to work for the San Bernardino Sherriff’s Department’s Crime Lab as a DNA technical leader.

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease coincided with contemplating a career change. That led to starting a Seniors Helping Seniors franchise serving Hemet and the surrounding San Jacinto Valley areas.

Seniors Helping Seniors provides non-medical, in-home care – ranging from companionship and light housekeeping to personal care. The providers are seniors themselves, often retired from relevant professions and with plenty of experience, time and compassion to share.

“When I was considering all this, I wanted to see something that was more positive on a daily basis. My mom had Alzheimer’s, so I had senior care on my mind. Connecting independent seniors with those who need assistance is gratifying work.

“It can make a big difference being cared for by someone with similar challenges,” Lorraine explains. “You remember the same events and parts of history. Most people are not thrilled with having to ask for help, and having that help come from another senior can make it much more palatable and relatable.” 

(For more information on Seniors Helping Seniors, call Lorraine at 951 578 7950.)

Meet Our Officials – Malcolm Hook

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Malcolm Hook, aka “The Voice Of The West,” has been a fixture in US eventing for a long time. The announcer, controller and technical delegate has been at it long enough to remember asking his late brother-in-law, Pete Costello, “Why build an Advanced course when we don’ t have Advanced eventers out here in the West?”

The Field of Dreamsy answer to that was, in effect, “If you build it, they will come.”

Which they did. And Malcolm has enjoyed a front row seat for much of the sport’s significant changes around safety, sophistication and participation.

What hasn’t changed is the reassuring effect of Malcolm’s ever-present voice throughout the day.  ‘It’s funny. I get a lot of people – riders, coaches, parents – telling me they knew it was going to be OK when they heard my voice.’”

He’s reassuring in the moment and over eventing’s modern trajectory. His service to the sport included being an Area VII Chair and USEA Vice President. The Galway Downs regular has held key roles on many committees and continues to sit on a few, including the USEA course design safety committee and others.  

Malcolm and his wife, Julie Costello Hook, own Talisman Farm in Aurora, Oregon. Julie coaches, trains and hosts educational events. Malcolm manages behind-the-scenes tasks, juggling that with about 20-25 announcer/controller assignments and typically 2-3 technical delegate jobs per year.

He suggests that things in the control tower are not always as under control as his calm voice makes it sound. At national competitions, Malcolm often does double duty as controller and announcer. FEI competition rules don’t allow that.

Juggling Act

Indeed, the controller’s role is a lot on its own. Horse and rider safety are the controller’s priority. That involves communicating information to all exhibitors, officials, volunteers and show management, ensuring horses and riders get the attention they need when there’s an incident and monitoring all the components for a smooth flow of traffic on cross-country.

When everyone gets around without refusals or falls, and on a relatively normal pace, the controller’s job is relatively easy. When they don’t, the controller’s quick assessment of the situation and judgement are critical.

The controller monitors each horse’s progress based on the reports from the startbox and jump judges and visually for parts of the course that can be seen from the tower.

Typically, Malcolm has driven the course in a golf cart to understand where the obstacles and challenges are.  Stopping points where a pair would be held if needed are determined by the officials, and it’s the controller’s job to determine when that’s warranted.

“I find it very easy to keep track in my head of where people are because I’m announcing. I’ve just been talking about where a certain rider is. I just said, for example, ‘Rider 21 completed fence 15,’ so the commentary about what’s happening helps me track where they are on course.

“Controlling and announcing is a lot,” Malcolm continues. “It keeps me amused and I like to be busy.” Handling both tasks is a cost-saver for organizers, too, he adds.

Keeping track of riders is one thing. Keeping track of the three to five radios typically at his fingertips in the control booth is another matter. “My biggest problem is which radio I’m talking on. One is dedicated to veterinary and medical emergencies. Another is dedicated to the office. I’m typically using two channels at any moment. I have my moments… something like telling the fence judge at 7 to start the next rider! But I don’t dwell on those moments.”

After reporting on riders’ status all day, Malcolm admits he’s often stumped by his wife Julie’s end-of-the-day “who won” question. “I’ll get the start and finish time for 250 horses, update their scores and have an idea who appears to be the winner, then 20 minutes later I can’t remember!”

Tremendous Growth

“The growth of the sport has been tremendous,” he says. Going back to when Pete Costello suggested developing a circuit of Advanced level courses out West, Malcolm recalls Kevin Freeman being one of very few eventual Olympians to be based in the West.

“The fact that Tamie (Smith), Jil (Walton), Amy (Tryon) and Todd (Trewin) did that is really a big thing if you look at the demographics of the United States and the powerhouse areas being USEA II and III, and, earlier, Area I. The growth at the upper levels has fueled the lower levels as well, because without them, it would be very difficult to build the Advanced courses.”

He’s witnessed unforgettable moments. Like Bruce Davidson completing the Rolex (now Defender) Kentucky Three Day course in “an utter, horrible downpour and coming clear inside the time in a way you would not have known there was anything difficult about what he just did.”

Or any pair who flows through the track like “water flowing down hill,” Malcolm describes.
“It’s like you are looking at a stream going downhill and even if it’s a fairly steep run, over boulders, around rocks, the flow is effortless and appears inevitable.” Outings like that come up about 10 times a year, he guesses. They’re always a delight.

He has awe and appreciation for all. “I am impressed by anybody that will go out there and do this sport,” he says. “It’s something I can’t do. And the lower levels are really, for me, the center of the sport.”

“The upper levels are great,” he continues. “They are exciting and there is a lot of pageantry attached to it. But on a day-in, day-out basis, we can never overlook the lower levels. They’re the ones whose participation provides the money to build the courses that support the next Amy Tryon, the next Jil Walton, the next Todd Trewin or Tamie Smith, etc.”

Seeing young horses and riders advance up the levels is gratifying, too.

Looking ahead, Malcolm says he may opt out of the 2028 Olympic equestrian competition likely to be held at Galway Downs. He’ll be 81 by then and anticipates being ready to watch from afar.

“I am really pleased for Galway Downs, though, and especially for Robert Kellerhouse. It is a tremendous opportunity and, when looking at what else was available, really the only logical choice. It is going to be a huge boost to the sport.”

USEA Area VI Adult Riders Camp

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(Photos courtesy of Erna Adelson)

5* Eventers Bec Braitling and Andrea Baxter are set as clinicians for this year’s Adult Riders Camp taking place Aug. 16-18 at Twin Rivers Ranch.

Galway Downs regular Erna Adelson participated last year and wrote a great, thorough report about the camp for the Chronicle of the Horse. “Watching the other groups ride, I picked up tons of information about what to look for in a successful eventing partnership, including things like softness, quiet riding, pace and adjustability. Having three consecutive days with the same trainers gave us time to address demons and witness improvement, and to study other riders outside of a competitive environment,” Erna wrote.

“As a rider new to the sport on a green horse, having an empathetic group around me bolstered my confidence in my new partnership, even when we made rookie mistakes. That kind of support can be hard to find regularly as an amateur, even for those who ride in full-time programs.” Read the full Chronicle article here.

Along with the riding coaching, the weekend features two educational presentations –

Annie Desmond, 2023 participant

Tara Graham “The Equine Bit-Fitter”

Tara trained in bit and bridle fitting in Canada and while living in Austin, she attended the Vluggen Institute of Equine Osteopathy. She also attended The Equine Natural Movement School to study equine structural integration as well as cranio-sacral therapy of an equine to better help you and your horse.

Dr. Suzanne Kritz, PT, DPT, CFPS, APTA

Erna P. Adelson and Joanne Belonsky, 2023 campers.

Dr. Suzanne graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and Clarkson University with a doctorate degree in Physical Therapy. Later she went on to pursue further training to become a pelvic health specialist through the prestigious APTA academy of pelvic health

Suzanne understands the struggle many adult amateurs and professional riders face to manage the levels of fitness required to be a successful rider and competitor. She believes in a whole -body approach through the use of detailed biomechanical analysis and riding analysis (as appropriate both in and out of the saddle) focusing on mobility and strength testing, posture, breathing, mindset and so much more.

2023 participant Nancy Emsley of Temecula.

Area VI reports that hosts Jeff and Connie Baxter will kindly allow participates to enjoy their new swimming oasis during certain hours.  

Camp entry forms should be available on the Area VI Adult Rider Facebook page as of July 1.

Exhibitor Spotlight – Auburn Excell Brady

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Auburn Excell Brady is well known throughout the West Coast equestrian world as a talented and tough competitor who regularly rides into our winners’ circles.

Auburn Excell Brady and BSP Boudica
Auburn and Boudica BSP. PC: Tina Fitch Photography

If all goes to plan, the rest of the eventing world will know her that way, too.

“I want to use the next 10 years to really work on becoming a top rider,” says Auburn. “I want to compete at the top level of the sport and I feel like I’m ready to do that now. I have the experience, the supportive customers and a handful of super nice horses to take it to the next level.”

International success would add to already impressive accomplishments.

Auburn has a thriving eventing training program, Excell Equestrian, based at the San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Center (formerly known as Sycamore Trails).

She is a USEA ECP Level 4 certified instructor and a US Dressage Federation silver medalist closing in on gold. She’s a regular at jumper and dressage shows to keep her horses and clients in tune.

Auburn with husband and super horse guy Sean Brady.

Plus, she has a husband, Sean Brady, who’s become a masterful horse hauler, handler, bringer of apples and carrots and all-around great guy who fully supports her quest.

Horse Power

Auburn’s equine partners in the current phase of this journey are very different.

BSP Tuxedo is “my trusty old shoe,” Auburn shares. They’ve done several seasons of Advanced and CCI4*-S competitions. He’s coming back from a few years’ break in great shape and is pointed at the CCI3* at Aspen Farms in Washington state this month, then Rebecca Farms in Montana in July.

Auburn’s rising star is Boudica BSP, the 7-year-old mare who most recently topped the Horse Division in Galway Downs’ Preliminary Challenge. This pair has come a long way since Boudica came to Auburn in the fall of 2022 as a sales horse. “She was never an easy ride, but I finally started getting along with her.”

At the suggestion of Sean, the mare’s name was changed to that of a notorious Celtic warrior. “Maybe I’m superstitious, but I think that might have helped, too!”

You can’t miss this pair. Boudica is 18.2 hands and she’s not afraid to use her mass to get her way.  She was originally imported by Andrea Baxter of Twin Rivers Ranch, but that horse-rider size differential didn’t help them connect. Auburn is grateful to Andrea for sending the mare her way.

 “I am really excited about her,” Auburn shares. “As of the Preliminary Challenge I really felt like everything was coming together. I’m also reminding myself not to be greedy. To keep things easy for her, keep her confidence up. The mare keeps me humble. She reminds me not to skip any steps!”

Auburn’s third current star is Galliard’s Lancer, owned by client Lauren Hsieh. Their 3rd place finish in Galway Downs’ spring CCI3*-S this year hints at Auburn’s expectation that this can be a 5* horse.  Because he’s a sales horse, it may be that Auburn’s success with the 13-year-old KWPN will result in another rider fulfilling that potential. But that’s a familiar reality for most professionals, and she’s enjoying bringing out his best in their time together.

Auburn Excell Brady and Galliard's Lancer at Galway Downs
Auburn and Galliard’s Lancer. Photo: Tina Fitch Photography

Tuxedo and Boudica are co-owned by Auburn and Sean, and by long time client Larry Sawyer.

A clientele that’s evolved to mostly adult and college age equestrians supports Auburn’s goals. Her pursuit of the sport’s top levels involves “paying attention to who I am surrounding myself with,” she explains. “My clients appreciate the quality of our lessons and horse care, and they recognize that I have my own goals.”

Being based in coastal Orange County, Auburn does not have regular access to cross-country work. She has a collection of portable obstacles – a coffin combination, brush fence, skinnys and corners — but they’re set in the arena. “We have to load up the trailer and go somewhere if we want to ride in the open and do any galloping,” she explains of a reality faced by many eventers.

Galway Downs, Tamie Smith’s base across the street at Kingsway Farm, and the Hoffos family’s Copper Meadows in Ramona are weekly destinations for Auburn throughout most of the year.  Putting pedal to metal in wide open spaces is critical to maintaining the nerve and appetite for speed work and galloping, Auburn notes.

Taking A Stand

Getting to the top of the sport requires having a place to pursue it locally. Throughout her career, Auburn has made time to advocate for the equestrian lifestyle in Southern California and especially in San Juan Capistrano.

She’s active in the San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition’s long running efforts to preserve the city’s equestrian heritage and activity. That includes the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park, which has been embroiled in challenges mostly related to its impact on water quality.

Horsekeeping’s impact on the environment is an issue in which equestrians everywhere need to educate themselves, Auburn urges. “There’s a lot of ‘It’s not our problem until it is.’ It’s taken a long time for people to recognize how serious a threat this is within our community.”

“I am optimistic,” she continues. “I feel like our equestrian community is strong. We’ve been fighting for 20 years and have a lot of energy behind us. However, it’s not easy. Doing what I do for a living and being involved in these kind of things is tiring and it can be disheartening.”

That work gives Auburn immense gratitude for what eventing organizers do to provide high quality competitions on the West Coast. “It is probably emotionally and financially challenging to keep this sport going,” Auburn says. “The eventing community is so special and fun, promoting such a different way of horsemanship and riding and of collaborating with each other.”

She appreciates the Baxters of Twin Rivers Ranch, the Horse Park at Woodside team, the Terry Hilst-led team at Ram Tap and especially Galway Downs. “(Organizer) Robert Kellerhouse does an amazing job at Galway and with all he’s done for Area VI. He is one of the most instrumental organizers that we have.”

“I love the sport and I’m grateful to be part of it. I want to do all I can to help it grow on the West Coast.” One of the ways to make that happen is excelling nationally and internationally, while based in the West.

And that’s Auburn’s plan.

Meet Our Exhibitors – Ava and Jordan Chase

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West Coast eventing is often described as a unique community. Jordan and Ava Chase are a couple who contribute mightily to that community – its horsemanship excellence, its volunteer spirit and its forward-thinking focus.

Ava and Kingston at Galway last summer. PC-Tina Fitch
Jordan and Boyd Martin

Ava and Jordan met as kids competing at Ram Tap in Fresno. They were friends growing up on the Southern California Pony Club circuit – Jordan is an “A” graduate – and on the eventing scene.

Marriages to other people and careers took them on separate tracks for much of their adult life. But when they reconnected 10 years ago and got married, Ava and Jordan made up for lost time by jumping fully back into the horse world.

Four years ago, the Chases bought a western horse training property in San Diego County’s San Marcos. They transformed it into a first-class equestrian boarding and training facility called Far View Farms.

High-caliber resident trainers provide daily coaching, while international riders visit regularly to help everybody up their game.  Boyd Martin and Liz Halliday visit from the East Coast regularly,

And San Diego-based Olympian Sabine Schut-Kery is a frequently visiting coach.

Compelling Life Chapters

“I look at life as a series of chapters,” reflects Ava. “I’ve always been a learner and we like to take on projects because we want to learn new skills.”

That desire drew Ava to earning her US Eventing Association technical delegate license, which she used officially for the first time at Twin Rivers in April.

She’s close to earning her USEA judging credentials, too.  Pursuing TD and judging credentials are time intensive tracks. Ava has kept on those tracks alongside working full time in the “real world” and managing the farm with Jordan.

Somehow, she’s found the time to volunteer, too,

“Both Jordan and I were eventers as young people. When we came back to riding, we wanted to be super connected to the sport.” Initially, they both got back in the saddle and back to eventing competition.

New Way To Engage

At some point, however, Ava decided that “I don’t bounce as well as I used to.” She opted to cut back on riding and accelerate her licensed official path. Already, she finds this less physically risky path is a fully engaging way to stay in and contribute to the sport.

Jordan continues to ride. His work is based in Ft. Lauderdale, FL., so he’s been commuting between Florida and California for the past few years. Along with Ava and Far View Farms endeavors, Jordan has adult children and grandchildren in Southern California, deepening his roots to the region.  Jordan’s current horse stays in Florida, where they work with a jumping trainer to keep their skills sharp.

Far View Farms in San Marcos

Now that Far View Farms has fulfilled Ava and Jordan’s vision for it as a first-class equestrian center, they’ve decided to make a fuller commitment to bi-coastal living. Far View Farms is newly on the market, with hopes that a new owner will be equally committed to keeping it a hub of equestrian sport and horsemanship education.

The Chases will base at their San Diego condominium when in California, balanced with time on the East Coast.

Ava’s daughter Tatiana Parker is an accomplished hunter/jumper trainer who operates Tati Parker Equestrian in Charleston, S.C. “I’ll be able to help her a lot with the knowledge that I’ve gained through Far View Farms,” Ava says.

The idea of jumping in to help as needed – versus being responsible for every detail—is appealing, Ava shares. “It’s kind of like being the grandmother,” Ava laughs. “You can step in when help is needed, but you don’t have to be completely enmeshed all the time.”

California Roots

Even spending ample time on the East Coast, Ava and Jordan are confident of staying fully connected to their home state.

“We were here in the early cowboy days of the sport,” Ava reflects on their start with horses in Southern California. “To see how much the sport has risen is amazing.”

Along with loving to compete and volunteer at Galway Downs, Ava is very appreciative of Robert Kellerhouse’s support of her educational pursuits. Both involved apprenticing with licensed officials several times. “He always helped me make sure I got my apprenticeships done.”

Whatever coast they’re on, the Chases will be fully engaged in eventing. They are part of horse owning syndicates for two of Boyd Martin’s horses – Fedarman B and Barney Rubble – and one of Liz Halliday’s horses – Newmarket Cooley.

And they have their tickets to this summer’s Paris Olympics booked. “We are going no matter what!” Ava reports.

From their beginnings on a relatively rudimentary West Coast eventing scene, the Chases continue to pursue their passion in ways that have helped Southern California become the world class eventing stage that it is now.