Horses at Heart of Community’s Concerns

Galway Downs Team Welcomes Input & Provides Updates and Answers

Feb. 25, 2025, Temecula, CA: Economic realities arose in the Feb. 19 community meeting
organized by Galway Downs to answer questions about a conditional use permit, the LA28
Olympic equestrian events, other uses, and a proposed zoning change for a nearby parcel
of land. Horses, however, dominated the discussion. Keeping their place in the heart of ever-
growing Temecula Valley emerged as a shared mission among attendees, even as discussions occasionally heated over how to best do that. “Galway Downs is an equestrian facility,” stressed owner Ken Smith. “That’s what it is and that’s what we intend it to be for decades.” Some misinformation was addressed – most notably the clarification that Smith’s request for a zoning change – from equestrian to commercial–does not apply to Galway Downs’ 242 acres. It applies to a nearby, steeply-inclined parcel along Highway 79 that is not well-suited for equestrian use.

Conditional Use Permit Amendments
Galway Downs representative Alan Long explained that a request for amendments to the property’s Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is in the early stages. To be economically viable, Galway Downs needs to maintain revenue streams in addition to the relatively modest income equestrian activity generates, he noted. The main intent of the amendment requests is to clarify existing uses that have evolved — like horse trailers with sleeping quarters — and codify the definitions of some of those uses. Permission is also requested to add other types of events when the facility is not being used for equestrian events. These new events will be restricted in the number allowed to ensure that equestrian continues to be Galway’s primary use. Additional events would only move forward if deemed appropriate after current evaluations of their impact on the property, the environment and the larger community. Additional events may include seasonal festivals and youth sports on the polo grounds and cross-country course when they would not overlap with equestrian events. The requests do not include becoming a multi-sport complex or a concert venue, Long stressed. “Equestrian has been and will always be the primary use.”
Long said the requests align with the Wine Country Community Plan’s mission to sustain properties that would otherwise be bankrupt or vulnerable to housing development. “When researching other premier equestrian centers, two things were abundantly clear,” he shared. “One is that the larger the facility, the harder it is to sustain financially and those that didn’t find other revenue streams closed. The other is the California cost to do business. It’s a surprise any large facility can remain open on equestrian revenue alone.” “For 50 years this property had been not sustainable,” added Robert Kellerhouse, Galway
Downs facility manager and event organizer. “It’s had all sorts of things proposed, most of
the economic engines being a housing track of sorts….
“The truth is the venue turned the corner because the property has become stable,” Kellerhouse continued. “It’s become stable because it has four legs to stand on: lodging, soccer, weddings and horses. All of us help contribute to make this place go. It’s all about keeping 242 acres of land intact.”
(A timeline of Galway Downs’ history can be found on GalwayDownsEquestrian.com)

Some attendees expressed valid concerns over any changes to the CUP. The majority, however, seemed to welcome Long’s request to work together in assuring Galway Downs does not meet the fate of many other equestrian centers throughout the state – kaput. Attendee Lynn Dordahl, MBA, SRA, has a first-hand view of property values, property taxes and development prospects through her work as Certified General Appraiser. The lifelong horse owner and Temecula resident recounted a long list of horse properties that have been or will likely soon be lost to non-equestrian development. “Everyone has to come together,” she urged. “Especially when we have a local owner who has a vested interest in making it work and is willing to listen. If we don’t come together, we’ll be shoved out.”

Traffic
Traffic handling improvements are needed for the roads surrounding Galway Downs, Long stressed. A neighbor complained of not being able to get out of her driveway on Pauba Road during busy soccer and horse show weekends. “It’s not all our traffic, but it’s all our responsibility,” Long said. He encouraged
consideration of and communication with all sources of increasing traffic – not just Galway. “We all have to work together on it.” Long acknowledged that Galway had not accounted for navigation apps directing drivers to smaller streets, like Pauba, if there’s even a short back-up on Galway’s main entrance, Los
Corralitos. Hiring certified traffic controllers and continuing to work with California High Patrol and Cal
Trans officials for better solutions are in progress, Long said. The LA28 Olympics Galway Downs is the proposed site of the LA28 Olympic Equestrian and Paralympic equestrian competition. A final approval from the City Council of Los Angeles is required and expected. Regarding parking, Long said only Olympic participants will park at Galway Downs. Spectators will be shuttled from offsite lots. Some attendees said the Olympics could solidify Galway Downs’ legacy as an equestrian facility and help with needed road improvements to handle growing traffic. “It’s our fence for stopping development,” said one attendee. Another described it as “putting us on the money map to get the funding we need.”

The Zoning Issue
Ken Smith’s request to re-zone from equestrian to commercial use involves a parcel of land that straddles Highway 79 near Galway Downs. It does not involve Galway Downs’ 242 acres. Long said the re-zoning request had been approved in 2017, with no community objections. The 177-acre parcel is comprised of a steep slope that would not be suitable for equestrian use. A gas station equipped for horse haulers was suggested by Riverside County officials as supporting surrounding equestrian activities, Long shared. Long said Smith is planning for horse trails on the parcel and is already pursuing a trail easement on adjacent Water District property. The easement would allow connections to trails on Vail Ranch. Long also said Smith would consider dropping the re-zoning request if the equestrian
community does not share his vision for it.

Open Communication
More community meetings are planned by the Galway Downs team. Follow Galway Downs Equestrian on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to the Galway Gazette newsletter to stay informed on all updates and progress. Community input is welcome at info@GalwayDowns.com.