BURBANK – California’s dressage riders enjoyed a weekend of hot championship competition and cool entertainment during Cool August Nights held Aug. 25-28 at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center.

Markel Insurance sponsored the Cornerstone Open and Amateur Championships at the event, which also featured the Los Angeles Breeders Classic.

Competitors who had pursued qualifying scores and a chance to vie for titles from training to FEI levels since December included Jaye Cherry and Santana, winner of the Open Training Level series title; Cindy Ramirez-Smith and Decoroso HGF at Open First Level; Heather Neely and Enchante in the Adult Amateur First Level division; Sherry Van’t Riet with Sir Deauville for Open Third Level; Ritchie Silva and Amadeus at Third Level for Adult Amateurs; Emily Tears with Lopaca for Adult Amateur Intermediaire I; and Whitney Harrington riding Laredo 183 to the win in the Adult Amateur Grand Prix division.

Markel/Cornerstone High Point Show Champions for Cool August Nights were also presented in five divisions. In the FEI ranks, Franchesca Liauw and GB Marko claimed the dress sheet, while Cherry rode Santana to top the Open division. For Adult Amateurs, Emily Tears with Absolute Zephyr earned the tricolor sash, and Anna Buffini with Roosevelt SFS won the Junior/Young Rider division. The Breed division was won by the 2-year-old Hanoverian filly Saraphina, owned by Shawn and Deanna Kacer.

Also, Margaret Stout rode Ilion at Training Level and completed her Century Club ride — when the rider’s and horse’s combined ages total 100 years or more.