Wrapping up the month of July and continuing through August, Blenheim EquiSports is proud to offer media and spectators the chance to see top-level horses and riders compete in high-performance equestrian sport on the Grand Prix Field at the Del Mar Horse Park.
Both the Showpark Racing and August Festival horse shows offer weekend highlights. The $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby begins on the afternoon of Saturday, July 31. On Sunday, August 1 the $25,000 Showpark Racing Festival Grand Prix commences at 2:30 p.m., followed by the Showpark August Festival Grand Prix on Saturday, August 7 at 3:00 p.m.*
The coveted high-performance hunter challenge hosts junior, amateur and professional hunter riders in a two-round competition where four judges score each round, including bonus points for height and handy efforts. In the grand prix events, horses and riders of all ages will test their talent around a timed course of obstacles judged solely on faults and speed. The horse-and-rider team with the least amount of faults and fastest time in the jump-off ultimately wins.
Blenheim is pleased to host over 50 horses and their riders, trainers and family from Mexico during this circuit. Always competitive and well-mounted, the top riders from down south tend to heighten the excitement in the main events as well as take home top prizes.
Last year during the $25,000 Racing Festival Grand Prix hosted at the Del Mar Horse Park, it was Susan Hutchison and the stealth stallion, El Dorado 29’s Cantano, who came away with the win followed by Keri Potter and her own Rockford I, and one of Wild Turkey Farm’s mares Summer with Mandy Porter aboard came in third. A male competitor garnered the top prize in the $25,000 August Festival Grand Prix, Ali Nilforushan and Green Sleepes Vioco, followed by Michelle Parker and Cross Creek Farm’s Socrates de Midos, and Gabriella Salick on her own Gredo La Daviere in third.
More exhilarating grand prix events ensue over the next month when Blenheim EquiSports takes horse showing to San Juan Capistrano’s Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park for the Blenheim Summer Classic I and Blenheim Summer Classic II. The competition immediately returns to Del Mar to round off August and begin September with the Showpark Summer Classic and the Showpark All Seasons Tournament. Please check www.showpark.com for event details.
*Event times may change - please check website for updates before each event.
About Blenheim EquiSports
Blenheim EquiSports, an equestrian event management company based in San Juan Capistrano, CA, produces over 30 events per year in three locations: San Juan Capistrano, Del Mar and Las Vegas, NV. The events include 18 USEF "A" or "AA" rated hunter-jumper shows featuring several World Cup Qualifying Grand Prix, USHJA International Hunter Derbies, Pony Finals, Medal Finals and more.