The LA Times reported on Friday that Galway Downs’ venue master plan was approved on the Wednesday by the International Olympic Committee executive board, however, the private committee responsible for organising and executing the Games (LA28) informed Galway Downs that the equestrian competition will take place elsewhere. An alternative venue is yet to be named.
“Galway Downs was previously recommended and approved as the proposed venue by the Los Angeles City Council. Late on April 9, LA28 officials informed Galway Downs, City of Temecula and Riverside County officials that another venue has been selected,” reads the venue’s statement on Friday, 11 April.
A private facility, Galways Downs has existing infrastructure suited to hosting all three disciplines at the one venue. You can read more about the venue in the April issue of Equestrian Life here.
Galway Downs owner Ken Smith said, “We are extremely surprised that we were suddenly removed from consideration. We don’t understand how, based on the March 28 City Council’s vote of approval, that this could happen. When we started this process more than four years ago, we understood the equestrian venue selection for LA28 would be a highly competitive, evolving process. Being selected as the proposed equestrian venue put Galway Downs and Temecula Valley on the world stage. We’re very proud of that, and we’re just getting started. Galway Downs will continue to host elite national and international competitions as well as additional sporting events.”
Temecula Mayor Brenden Kalfus said, “Galway Downs has showcased its Equestrian Center in Temecula Valley as the superior venue capable of hosting all Olympic equestrian games. While the City is disheartened to learn of this abrupt change, particularly in light of LA28’s venue approval granted by the Los Angeles City Council just two weeks ago, we remain confident that Galway Downs will continue its legacy and mission uninterrupted as a vibrant, world-class Olympic-caliber equestrian presence in Temecula Valley.”
