The competitors were presented with a flowing course that took them around the whole Fairway Field Grand Hunter arena, a gorgeous setting for the Derby. The teams began with a vertical on the short diagonal away from the crowd, with obstacles two and three containing options, fence nine was a vertical option, finishing with a bending line to fence 10, a natural oxer. The crowd cheered for the riders as they accumulated points in hopes of qualifying for the second round.
With a few difficult spots in the first round, the top 12 riders advanced to the second round, competing head to head for points in the USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Asuncion Valley Farms. The second round had 12 excellent riders that provided a
great deal of excitement for the crowd, becoming quite handy with their inside turns and hand galloping. The atmosphere was lively and the spectators enjoyed the whole performance, with Philip Cillis and Willow CBF coming in over five points ahead of second place's Julie Young and Georgetown. Hap Hansen and Happy Go Lucky traded in their jumper gear for braids to round out the top three! What an impressive field of competitors who completed the first USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Paso Robles Horse Park!
Saturday evening brought the LA Saddlery Grand Prix, the first Grand Prix to be held at the Paso Robles Horse Park! With a sold out VIP and a berm filled with anxious spectators, the class of 16 kicked off at 5:15PM. The class was full of thick competition, with impressive riders such as Lauren Hester, Marc Grock, Hap Hansen, Guy Thomas, and Jill Humphrey, among others, joined the event!
The course was designed by world-renowned course designer Heiko Wahlers of Germany and contained 15 efforts. The course included two combinations, one being an impressive triple combination along the long-side next to the VIP, followed by a roll back to a triple bar headed back towards the VIP. The annotated jump-off course allowed the horses and riders to flow over the Fairway Field Grand Prix, allowing them the opportunity to gallop their horses from fence to fence, ending with a nice, lovely oxer heading towards the berm and crowd!
The exciting jump-off pleased the crowded berm and busy VIP, with three great riders battling for the blue ribbon. Guy Thomas and Jill Humphrey put up great rides, but unfortunately ended with 11 and 5 faults, respectively in the jump-off. Lauren Hester was last to go and she and Warinde B took the class with the only double clear round and an impressive jump off time of 54.199!
It seemed fitting that Lauren won the LA Saddlery Grand Prix, being dress from head to toe in all LA Saddlery clothes, including wearing a brand new Winston jacket that she just picked up here at the Central California Memorial Day Classic! LA Saddlery's Renee Spurge and Jesse Holycross could not have been more excited!