Del Mar, CA – August 30, 2010 – Sixty horse and rider couples were eager to gallop onto the grass for the final outdoor grand prix of the season, the $40,000 Showpark Summer Classic Grand Prix, presented by California Horsetrader on August 28th at Del Mar Horse Park. A diverse group of fourteen duos returned for the jump off and the top six ribbon winners jumped double clean. However the speedy pair of Jaime Azcarraga and Celsius bested the rest of the field for the win.

German course designer, Olaf Peterson Jr. created a challenging track consisting of sixteen efforts. With a large field of rookies and veterans alike, Peterson Jr. wanted to design an inviting course to suit the variety of entrants. "It was a difficult field to set for," he noted. "There were young horses, young riders, and also experienced couples; they all had to be considered."

Marking the halfway point in the lineup of sixty horses, Azcarraga and Celsius were the thirtieth to attempt the course, and the ninth team to advance to the jump-off round. "This course by Olaf was nice but also difficult," the triumphant Azcarraga said. "I think the 14 clean says something about the quality of competitors coming to this show. [Showpark] is a beautiful place to bring the horses and compete."

First in, first clean and first to return, John McConnell and Katie Riddle (Rancho Corazon LLC, owner) navigated the jump-off route with four faults for an eighth place finish. Eduardo Menezes stepped up to the second round challenge next and laid down the fastest of the four fault rides on his own Avargo Mercedes Benz for seventh. Finishing sixth and jumping double clear in a time of 37.75 was Australian Lane Clarke with his mount McLord's First John (Mickey Hayden, owner). Clarke also rode Bay Rose's Nikko (Bay Rose LLC, owner) to a tenth place finish, pulling just one rail on the shortened course. Fault-free in both rounds and crossing the timers in 37.00 in the jump-off was the gifted eight-year-old horse Bristol (Grey Fox Farm, owner) and his rider Rusty Stewart for fifth place.

Seventeen-year-old Lucy Davis qualified two mounts for the second round but was eliminated on her first ride, Nemo 911. The young hot shot from Los Angeles redeemed herself and finished fourth by turning in a double clear ride in 36.32 aboard Old Oak Farm's Hannah. Rounding out the top three was the scopey grey Chello Z with his partner Josephina Nor-Lantzman of Del Mar at the reins for a clean performance in 35.32. Less than a second away from the winner's circle was Joie Gatlin who piloted Camaron Hills Quick Dollar (Camaron Hills Farm, owner) to a second place finish in a time of 35.32. Gatlin also secured another spot in the top ten, finishing ninth on Fred Bauer's Zico 13.

While there were many vying for the top position, it was the 10-year-old German bred Celsius and Azcarraga's well thought out trip that secured the win. "With 14 in the jump-off, I really had to go for it," Azcarraga said. "I took the five strides to the combination and I think that paid off."

Designer Peterson Jr. had a feeling Azcarraga would give his competitors a run for their money and was happy with the winning ride. "The jump-off was difficult because of the turns, but Jaime was the best and his horse was super careful," he remarked. "This is a newer horse for Jaime. It was nice to see him win."

The World Cup qualifying season commences in California with the $50,000 Grand Prix of Showpark on Saturday September 4th at 7:30pm when Blenheim EquiSports moves the grand prix events indoors to the covered arena at the Del Mar Horse Park. The event is part of the Showpark All Seasons Summer Tournament which begins on September 1st and continues through September 5th. Competition returns to the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano on September 15th for the Blenheim Fall Tournament.

RESULTS
$40,000 Showpark Summer Classic Grand Prix, presented by California Horsetrader

1. Celcius – Jaime Azcarraga (Jaime Azcarraga) 0/0/34.44
2. Camaron Hills Quick Dollar – Joie Gatlin (Camaron Hills Farm) 0/0/35.23
3. Chello Z – Josephina Nor-Lantzman (Josephina Nor Stables) 0/0/35.32
4. Hannah – Lucy Davis (Old Oak Farm) 0/0/36.32
5. Bristol – Rusty Stewart (Grey Fox Farms) 0/0/37.00
6. McLord's First John – Lane Clarke (Mickey Hayden) 0/0/37.75
7. Avargo Mercedes Benz – Eduardo Menezes (Eduardo Menezes) 0/4/33.70
8. Katie Riddle – John McConnell (Rancho Corazon LLC) 0/4/34.91
9. Zico 13 – Joie Gatlin (Fred Bauer) 0/4/37.11
10. Bay Rose's Nikko – Lane Clarke (Bay Rose LLC) 0/4/37.29
11. Pegasus – Ali Nilforushan (Ali Nilforushan) 0/8/35.64
12. Corrye Sanders – Jamie Taylor (Jamie Taylor) 0/8/40.70