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Kappler
and Simpson Take Top Honors on Opening Day at the Oaks Blenheim
International |
San
Juan Capistrano, CA—July 17, 2003—Chris Kappler of Pittstown,
NJ, rode Korina to the win in the $10,000 Hermès Speed Class
to open the Oaks Blenheim International CSI****, part of the Capistrano
Summer Festival in San Juan Capistrano, CA. The event runs through
Sunday, July 20.
Kappler,
who will be representing the United States at the Pan American Games
in the Dominican Republic next month, topped a field of 44 horses
and riders. Finishing second was two-time Olympian Joe Fargis aboard
Diams III, and in third was Debbie Stephens, a two-time Pan American
Games team Bronze Medalist, who rode Chappie.
U.S.
Equestrian Team (USET) veteran Will Simpson of Thousand Oaks, CA,
took top honors aboard El Campeon’s Ado Annie in Thursday’s
other featured event, the $10,000 Robert Mondavi Jump-Off Class.
Fellow USET rider Gabriella Salick took second place with Sandstone
Laurin, and Mark Watring finished third riding Sapphire.
Exciting
equestrian action at the Oaks Blenheim International continues throughout
the weekend. Friday’s events include a $10,000 jump-off class,
as well as the $25,000 St. Regis Resort International Class.
On
Saturday, the $50,000 Budweiser International Speed Derby begins
at 3pm, following the $10,000 Junior-Amateur Owner Jumper Classic.
The Budweiser International Speed Derby is a thrilling event in
which each horse and rider gallop over an obstacle course with jumps
ranging as high as 5’!
Sunday’s spectacular finale begins at 11am. The thrilling Cargill
Grand Prix of the United States, presented by HBO, features a $175,000
purse. Kappler is the defending champion.
Proceeds
from the Capistrano Summer Festival benefit The Latino Coalition
Foundation. The Latino Coalition Foundation is a non-profit, non-partisan
501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization based in Washington, DC. TLCF
was established in 1995 to address policy issues that directly affect
the well-being of Hispanics in the U.S. Their agenda is to develop
and promote policies that will enhance overall business, economic
and social development of Hispanics. For more information on The
Latino Coalition Foundation, please visit their websites at www.tlcfoundation.com
and www.TheLatinoCoalition.com.
For
general information, please visit www.capistranofestival.com
or www.blenheimequisports.com.
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