Blenheim EquiSports

Four Tie At Top In $25,000 USET World Equestrian Games Trial #4 Presented by Budweiser At 2002 Oaks Blenheim International CSI-A

San Juan Capistrano, CA—July 26, 2002—Four of the 28 entries that competed in the $25,000 USET World Equestrian Games Trial #4 Presented by Budweiser tied for first place by riding without penalty in Friday’s featured competition at the 2002 Oaks Blenheim International CSI-A.
The Oaks Blenheim International is hosting the final three rounds of United States Equestrian Team (USET) selection trials being used to pick this country’s squad for the 2002 Show Jumping World Championships to be held as part of the World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain in September. The final two rounds of trials will be held Sunday as part of the $175,000 Cargill Grand Prix of the United States, Presented by HBO.

Jumping clean in Friday’s trial were Lauren Hough of Wellington, FL on Windy City, owned by Peppercorn Ltd.; Nicole Shahinian-Simpson of Westlake Village, CA on El Campeon’s Petri, owned by El Campeon Farm; Molly Ashe of Wellington, FL on Kroon Garvin, owned by Sandra O’Donnell, and Ray Texel of Beverly Hills, CA on Fleur, owned by Beverly Hills Equestrian Park LLC.

“There was some serious jumping out there today,” said Ashe, “and my mare jumped beautifully. I am so happy with her.”

Ashe and Kroon Garvin are among the four horse-and-rider combinations that are now tied for the lead with 12 faults through four of six rounds of trials. Tied with them are Texel and Fleur, Simpson and her other mount, El Campeon’s Cirka Z and Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, NY on Judgement. Complete results of all trials to date with full standings are available on the U.S. Equestrian Team website at www.uset.org.

“This was the biggest course we’ve had in the trials so far,” said Simpson, “and I really have to compliment (course designer) Leopoldo (Palacios) on his courses. The courses have been scopey and careful, but none have been killers. No one is hurting their horses by jumping in these trials.”

Hough is tied for sixth place with 16 faults on Windy City. She compared him to her better-known mount, Clasiko, whom she rode in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. “Both these horses are great and I’d be equally confident if I were to make the team on either horse,” she said. “Windy City has a huge heart and he showed today what a good jumper he is.”

This year marks the second annual Oaks Blenheim International CSI-A, which was the country’s first outdoor CSI-A (international individual show jumping competition). It is also the second time Selection Trials to determine a USET squad are being held at the Oaks Blenheim Exhibitions – Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park. Selection Trials for the USET’s Sydney Olympic squad were held at the San Juan Capistrano venue in 2000. Sunday’s $175,000 Cargill Grand Prix of the United States, presented by HBO, will be the final event that determines the show jumping squad that will represent the United States at the World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain in September.

Other exciting classes at the CSI-A are the $10,000 Hermes International Speed Class, won Thursday morning by Laura Kraut on Liberty; the $10,000 Robert Mondavi Winery International Welcome Class won Thursday afternoon by Eric Hasbrouck on Sitah; the $35,000 Budweiser International Speed Derby set for Saturday afternoon; and the $25,000 St. Regis Resort International class on Friday afternoon.

In addition to thrilling show jumping competition, spectators can enjoy a range of activities and entertainment, including live music and a Kids Day sponsored by Fidelity Investments on Saturday, July 27 with an Extreme Games Promo and a Soccer Shoot Out to be held between classes.

Single day admission is $15 per day with three-day passes available for $35. Children under the age of three are admitted free each day. Daily parking is $5 for venue parking and just $.50 per person for general parking which includes a shuttle ride to the show grounds. VIP hospitality tent tables can also be purchased for the duration of the show.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.capistranofestival.com or by phone. For VIP Hospitality Tent Reservations, please call: (949) 716-4854. For General Admission Ticket Sales please call: (949) 489-8826.
Blenheim EquiSports, under the direction of Olympic veteran rider Robert Ridland and CEO R.J. Brandes, is one of the country’s largest equestrian management and promotion companies. Events managed by Blenheim EquiSports include the 2000 Budweiser World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team Trials and the inaugural Oaks Blenheim International CSI-A.

For general information, please visit www.capistranofestival.com or www.blenheimequisports.com or call (949) 443-1844.

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