The West Coast Active Riders Organization kicked off the start of their World Cup qualifier season with the $50,000 Grand Prix of Showpark in Del Mar, CA, held on September 3, 2005. Mario Onate took top honors with his own mount, Banco Del Bajio Otelo.
The United States riders who earned World Cup points include Gabriella Salick and her gray stallion, Sandstone Laurin, of Sandstone Horse Sales, LLC; Mike Endicott with Farrokh Moshar’s bay gelding, Lennongrad; and Joie Gatlin with Canyon Capital, Inc.’s gelding Suncal’s King.
The Grand Prix of Showpark was the first World Cup Qualifer on the West Coast for the 2006 World Cup Finals for Show Jumping that will be held in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia. This Del Mar, CA, competition was also the first show held after the World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix survey of 2004.
In 2004, the West Coast Active Riders World Cup Review Committee created rating sheets for riders to grade footing, course design, quality of facility, lighting, management and rider accommodations at the World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix events held by four California managers. Grand prix riders demonstrated impressive dedication, as every rider filled out a survey for every grand prix in the 2004-2005 World Cup Qualifying season.
Based upon rider input, WCAR delivered clear, organized suggestions to show management and showed their appreciation for their great efforts in providing excellent showing conditions. Tom Struzzieri’s Indio World Cup Grand Prix classes received high acclaim for their terrific prize money. Larry Langer’s LAEC indoor arena was praised for its top-level footing, and the Oaks Blenheim facilities earned compliments for amazing courses and excellent quality jumps. Dale Harvey’s Del Mar Grand Prix shows received accolades for an overall fantastic environment and atmosphere.
The results of these surveys were distributed to all riders, trainers and horse show managers while together at the United States Equestrian Federation meeting in Indio.
The WCAR Committee recommended two steps, the first being that all World Cup qualifier grand prix events in California become $50,000 minimum classes, and the second being that more indoor classes become part of the showing season in order to prepare for indoors competitions. Both of these suggestions became a reality for the 2005-2006 World Cup qualifying season for the West Coast League.
All four California managers--Tom Struzzieri, Robert Ridland, Larry Langer and Dale Harvey--offered to make classes at least $50,000, and the FEI approved two additional World Cup qualifier grand prix competitions for the upcoming season. The Oaks Spring Classic and the Palms Classic will hold these two new qualifying classes. Both of these new additions will be indoor classes and held shortly before the finals in order to better prepare riders.
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