DEL MAR—The Del Mar International swept through the Del Mar Fairgrounds three consecutive weekends in October, showcasing a spectrum of talent vying for series awards and medal finals.
One of the highlights was the Oct. 21 $25,000 GGT Footing Grand Prix Series Final, presented by California Horsetrader and horsetrader.com. Eduardo Mendes took the final, but Kristiin Hardin ended the year as the GGT Series CHampions.Menezes couldn’t say enough good things about the 15-year-old chestnut Warmblood gelding owned by Carlos Hank.
Coming in second was Mandy Porter on Pasilla, an 11-year-old grey Swedish Warmblood mare owned by Sarah Ballou.
This class marked the end of the series, and grand prix rider Kristin Hardin earned the most points throughout the series to take the championship. Hardin won $7,500 to put towards West Palms Events shows in 2019.
In three rounds over two days, PCHA riders took to the Del Mar Arena to compete for their share of $25,000 in prize money for the PCHA Children’s / Adult Jumper Championship. The first round saw 64 competitors, which was narrowed to the top 30 for the second and third rounds.
Course designer Marina Azevedo designed challenging but appropriate tracks for the 1.10m horses and riders, but ultimately only one rider was able to complete all three rounds fault-free to earn the title of champion: Molly Volkland aboard her Chicago 131, an 11-year-old bay Holsteiner gelding.
Coming in second place was Tyler Hardin aboard Elle, a 15-year-old black Holsteiner mare owned by Mark Cassar. And taking third place was Tanna Seltzer on Zaira LS, a 9-year-old Club Hipico La Silla chestnut mare.
The Onondarka Medal Finals in the San Diego Ring featured competitors 12 and under who qualified throughout the year. The Finals consisted of three rounds plus a work-off which required demonstrating an array of equitation skills. After all three rounds plus the work-off, 12-year-old Avery Kalafatas came out on top aboard Benetton, her 7-year-old chestnut Dutch Warmblood gelding.
The Onondarka Medal Finals have a distinguished history. Many past winners have gone on to successful careers as grand prix riders and trainers, including Susie Hutchison, Francie Steinwedell, Lise Quintero, Emily Esau, Kasey Ament and Mavis Spencer.
More online: http://bit.ly/811_HJ
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