Marcia Morgan photo

Percynality Mercedes Benz and Eduardo Menezes

DEL MAR – Riders from eight nations vied for victory and World Cup points in the $50,000 Grand Prix of Showpark CSI-W event Sept. 4 under the lights in the Del Mar Horse Park.

Course designer Anthony D’Ambrosio endeavored to build a course that would test both the scope of the horse and eye of the rider. Four earned a spot in the jump-off, where Percynality Mercedes Benz and Eduardo Menezes clinched the win by virtue of the only double-clear performance.

Other riders who had advanced to the final round included East Coast rider Michelle Spadone and Melisimo (Morgan Hill Partners, owner), Susan Hutchison and the bay stallion Cantano (El Dorado 29), and 18-year-old Karl Cook aboard his second mount, the talented stallion Uno de Laubry (Signe Ostby, owner).

When considering the group of horses who returned to the shortened track, D’Ambrosio was pleased with their precise performances.

“Eduardo’s horse is hot and not very easy but he gave us a wonderful display and proved yet again that he is a great rider,” said the designer.
As the second to go in a four-horse jump-off, Menezes knew the task at hand.

“I had to be fast because Susie [Hutchison] and Karl [Cook] were behind me and they are quick,” he said.

“When I felt him in the warm-up ring, I knew he was feeling great,” he added of his 13-year-old partner. “He is a hot horse and very experienced. I didn’t show him in the speed class on Thursday because I wanted to save him.”

Cook took second with four faults in 37.65. Spadone and Melisimo were third with four faults in 38.77, and Hutchison and Cantano had a great time of 36.78 but dislodged two rails for eight faults.

More results: See website http://bit.ly/009GPSP