Blenheim
EquiSports |
Eric
Hasbrouck Wins $10,000 Robert Mondavi Winery International
Welcome Class At 2002 Oaks Blenheim International CSI-A
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San
Juan Capistrano, CA—July 25, 2002—Eric Hasbrouck of Bedford,
NY rode Sitah to victory in the $10,000 Robert Mondavi Winery International
Welcome Class to close opening day action at the 2002 Oaks Blenheim
International CSI-A.
Hasbrouck
topped a field of 18 entries in the jump-off class at the second
annual international show jumping competition which 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.
Hasbrouck,
who rode as part of the U.S. team at the last Show Jumping World
Championships in Rome in 1998, was the only entry to turn in two
fault-free rides. Finishing second was three-time U.S. Olympic veteran
Anne Kursinski of Frenchtown, NJ on her mount Great Point, owned
by Lila Kommerstad, the only other entry to ride fault-free over
the 15-jump, first-round course designed by Sydney Olympic course
designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela. Hasbrouck gained the win
in the jump-off by riding fault-free on his 7-year-old mare owned
by Trelawny Farm. Kursinski and Great Point scored 16 jump-off faults
for lowering rails at four fences.
“I’ve
only had Sitah for six months and she’s advanced herself very
quickly,” Hasbrouck said. “I took her to Spruce Meadows
in June and she jumped way above what I expected for such an inexperienced
horse. My plan was to keep bringing her along slowly but I have
to say that I’m very happy to have her win a class at a big
event like this.”
Finishing
third with three first-round time faults was Ray Texel of Beverly
Hills, CA riding Fleur, owned by Beverly Hills Equestrian Park LLC.
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
$35,000 Budweiser International Speed Derby on Saturday afternoon;
the $25,000 St. Regis Resort International class on Friday afternoon
and Round #4 of the Selection Trials, a $25,000 event presented
by Budweiser, on Friday morning.
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 for Friday, Saturday and Sunday 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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