The historic Del Mar National Horse Show, May 3-8, 2016, held numerous special classes and events throughout the week of competition. A few of the classes and divisions held throughout the week include: World Champion Hunter Rider, North American Junior Young Rider Championship Selection Trial, the $5,000 Del Mar National Equitation Championship, the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, the $25,000 Surfside Grand Prix Presented by iJump Sports, the $5,000 Ride & Drive Classic Presented by The Competitive Equestrian Magazine, and the famous $100,000 Grand Prix of Del Mar. "We would like to sincerely thank everyone for joining us at the 71st Annual Del Mar National Horse Show," said Amy Billburg, Equestrian Manager at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. "It was a wonderful week of showing and we cannot wait to make the 72nd Annual Del Mar National Horse Show even better next year!" The weekend kicked off Thursday afternoon with the USHJA National Hunter Derby. The class of 28 entries contained well known riders such as Jenny Karazissis, John French, Jamie Sailor, Peter Lombardo, among many others. In the end, it was Jenny Karazissis and Briana Sukert's Felix who topped the class to win the blue. Katie Gardner and Luisant took second place with Jordyn Hechter and Taboo rounding out the top three. Karazissis had a winning week here at Del Mar National, also taking home the blue in the coveted $5,000 Del Mar National Equitation Championship with Nina Vogel's Jamestown! Zazou Hoffman took second in the Championship with Mickie Sage taking home third. Friday, we saw 51 starters in the Surfside Grand Prix Presented by iJump Sports over a beautiful speed course created by renowned course designer, Heiko Wahlers. Nine horse and rider combinations successfully completed the course with no jumping faults and within the time allowed! In the end, it was Richard Spooner aboard his Chivas Z who topped the field of competition with a time of 66.82. Second place went to another West Coast favorite Rich Fellers on Harry and Mollie Chapman's Flexible, close behind Spooner with a time of 67.73. Rounding out the top three was Enrique Gonzalez with a time of 71.65 on his own Chacna. The top 30 finishers from Friday's Grand Prix were allowed to compete in Saturday's $100,000 Grand Prix of Del mar. Heiko Wahler's trying course allowed four riders of the 29 starters into the jump off: Enrique Gonzalez, Chris Pratt, Jack Hardin Towell, and Guy Thomas, unfortunately leaving Richard Spooner and both Chivas Z and Cristallo out of the jump-off, but in the top 12. The jump off flowed around the whole Del Mar Arena, allowing the riders the opportunity to gallop and let their horses loose. Chris Pratt and Concorde were able to out-jump their competition in the jump off, with a clear round and a time of 45.349. Behind him in second was Jack Hardin Towell and Flip with a clear round and a time of 46.565 and rounding out the top three was Enrique Gonzalez and his own Chacna, with four faults in a time of 49.463! Congratulations to Chris Pratt and Concorde on their victory!
