Calvert
Wins $25,000 Del Mar National Open Equitation Championship
Del
Mar Fairgrounds - Cathleen Calvert of La Jolla, CA, won the 2003
$25,000 Open Equitation Championship presented by Monarch International's
Show Circuit Magazine at the Del Mar National Horse Show.
Introduced to the Del Mar National Horse Show in 1998, the Equitation
Championship is open to all riders, and all breeds of horses. Juniors,
amateurs, and professionals compete over the same courses, through
four rounds of competition. This unique event presents the ultimate
test of equitation over fences for the rider; not just on their
own horse, but on a strange mount with only two warm-up jumps before
the championship round.
(Photo credit - Ed Moore Photography)
Cathleen
Calvert of La Jolla, CA, riding Norton, owned by Stephanie Danhakl;
won the 2003 $25,000 Open Equitation Championship presented by Monarch
International's Show Circuit Magazine at the Del Mar National Horse
Show. Presenting awards were (from right to left): Nicoletta Von
Heidegger, Paris Sellon, and Jami Von Heidegger of Chatsworth, CA
were present for Monarch International's Show Circuit Magazine;
David Marchese, Sellier de France, of Alexandria, VA presented the
Antares custom saddle; Dale Harvey, hunter/Jumper Show Manager;
and Calvert mounted on Norton.
A total of 36 entries began the Equitation Championship on May 1.
The first round of competition was a jumper course with only the
top 25 riders moving on to the second round. The highest scoring
eight riders from the second round competed in the two remaining
championship rounds.
This year there were nine finalists (two had tied scores).
For the final go, riders switch mounts (decided by a draw) and are
allowed to warm-up over one vertical and one Oxer supervised by
a USAE steward. The course was not timed, but with jumping faults.
In her bid for the championship, Calvert rode Norton, owned by Stephanie
Danhakl, for the first three rounds. In the first championship round,
Calvert and Norton combined for a huge score of 94. In the final
championship round, Calvert drew Katie Gardner's horse, Amadeus,
and earned a score of 80, for an overall high score of 174.
Calvert took home the championship title and $15,000 prize money,
an Antares saddle, and a $1,000 gift certificate from Golden Horse
Jewelers. She was awarded the Victor Hugo Vidal Equitation Championship
Trophy, which was presented by the China Blue Farm for the winner
to keep.
Jami and Nicoletta Von Heidegger and Paris Sellon of Chatsworth,
CA were present for Monarch International's Show Circuit Magazine.
David Marchese, Sellier de France, of Alexandria, VA presented the
Antares custom saddle. Antares is the official saddle of the Del
Mar National Horse Show. Barbara and Gaetan Girgenti, Golden Horse
Jewelry, of Camarillo, CA presented a $1000 certificate for custom-made
jewelry.
Last year's champion, Hugh Mutch made it to the final nine riders,
but ended 22 points shy of winning a second year in a row. Randy
Sherman rode both rounds but was eliminated off course in round
1.
Results,
$25,000 Open Equitation Championship:
Rank Rider Score Rd 1 Rd 2
1 Cathleen Calvert 174 94.00 80.00
2 Dick Carvin 172 83.00 89.00
3 Katie Gardner 170 89.00 81.00
4 Michael Endicott 164 79.00 85.00
5 Kristen Coe 158 70.00 88.00
6 Hugh Mutch 152 74.00 78.00
7 Christa Endicott 146 60.00 86.00
8 Phillip Cillis 137 62.00 75.00
9 Randy Sherman 79 0.00 79.00
Previous winners of the Equitation Championship:
2002 Hugh Mutch, Calabasas, CA
2001 Archie Cox, Los Angeles, CA
2000 Emily Esau, Encinitas, CA
1999 Nicole Shahinian-Simpson, Thousand Oaks, CA
1998 Jill Prieto, San Mateo, CA
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