Hunter/Jumper equestrians fill Del Mar Arena for final
week of competitions
Del Mar Fairgrounds (April 30, 2003) -- The Del Mar National Horse
Show begins is final week of competitions yesterday, with more than
700 horses and riders vying for the show's top money events during
Hunter/Jumper Week.
Hunter/Jumper week offers more than $125,000 in prize money, during
three "premier"evenings of competitions. They include: the
Lexus $25,000 Surfside Grand Prix on Thursday, May 1; the $25,000
Del Mar National Open Equitation Championship sponsored by Monarch
International on Friday, May 2; and the $75,000 HBO Grand Prix of
Del Mar sponsored by Budweiser - an American Grand Prix Association
even on Saturday, May 3. All shows begin at 7 p.m. in the Del Mar
Arena at the Fairgrounds Equestrian Center.
The Lexus $25,000 Surfside Grand Prix is a qualifying competition
for the $75,000 HBO Grand Prix of Del Mar. Spectators will be treated
to Olympic-caliber show jumping in this highly competitive class.
As many as 60 horse and rider could compete in this elimination event.
The top 30 teams will go on to compete in Saturday's Grand Prix of
Del Mar.
The $25,000 Open Equitation Championship sponsored by Monarch International
and the $5,000 Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic will fill the Arena,
Friday, May 2. The final two rounds of the Open Equitation Championship
will be shown over an advanced equitation course with an emphasis
on riding style, technique, and accuracy. The competition is open
to all riders, including professionals and trainers.
The $75,000 HBO Grand Prix of Del Mar presented by Budweiser -- an
American Grand Prix Association event is the crowning competition
of the Del Mar National. The Grand Prix will be recorded for a televised
broadcast in June as part of the AGA's Bud Sports tour. The event
was won last year by Jenni Martin on Pop Socks, owned by Temecula
Valley Equestrian Center. Top contenders for this year''s show include
Nicole Shahanian-Simpson, Richard Spooner, Susie Hutchinson, Hap Hansen,
Sarah Baldwin, Mary Tyng, Rich Fellers, Mandy Porter, Will Simpson,
John French and many more!
Weekday admission to the Del Mar National Horse Show is free from
8 a.m. to 4 p.m., during the entire run of the Horse Show. Individual
tickets for all of the evening and weekend competitions are now on
sale through Ticketmaster by calling 619-220-TIXS (619-220-8497).
Tickets may also be purchased on the Internet at www.ticketmaster.com.
Box seats may be purchased through the Del Mar Fairgrounds Box Office
by calling 858-792-4252. Or visit www.delmarnational.com.
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