Del Mar Sun & Surf
The team at CRQH headed south to the Del Mar Horse Park to attend the Sun & Surf Circuit show May 14-17. The weather sure did ensure we experienced both sun and surf, with rain drenching the grounds for much of Friday and Saturday. Despite the challenges with the weather, we brought home some incredible results, happy horses, and successful clients.
One of our newest pairs to hit the show ring, Youth rider Lauren Anderson took her new partner RV Radical Zip Rod out for the second time since he was purchased. Even with a handful of miles together, Lauren and Phoenix proved that they’re an incredible match for each other. Over the weekend, they went out in the Youth Horsemanship, Performance Halter, and Trail taking home the Grand Reserve in the Youth Performance Halter and over 15 Top Ten placings. Every time this pair went out, more pieces fell into place. CRQH is so excited to see what is possible for these two!
One of our other Lauren’s (we seem to collect them) took her mare BMQ A Lady Forever in the Novice Youth Horsemanship, Trail, and Showmanship with huge personal accomplishments and great results. Lauren Hiesl is in her first season with CRQH and has made brave changes to her riding and the partnership with her mare has improved because of it. Their hard work showed this weekend with Lauren taking home the Reserve Circuit Champion in the Novice Youth Showmanship.
Michelle Lewis brought her gelding Indelible Invitation out at Del Mar, and they were the most relaxed and confident they have ever been. Over the weekend, they snagged nine 1st place finishes and again came out confidently in the Amateur classes and gained valuable experience. The pair came away named the Novice Amateur Hunt Seat Equitation Circuit Champion after a stellar weekend.
Smokin Sensational, Angela Moore’s wonderful mare was brave despite the big weather changes. Angela and Abby have truly melded as a team this season, putting more finesse and style on their ride each time they enter the pen.
Suzanne Benson and her mare Zippos Tabitha continued to gain experience in the pen in the Level 1 Amateur Trail. They continued to climb up the cards, reaching as far as 6th! In the Senior Trail, Carolyn steered Tabitha to a huge personal best and snagged a 3rd place in a stacked class of 60.
The newest member of the team to CRQH is Hez Pretty Extreme, a 2012 gelding owned by Carolyn Rice. Bert showed at Sun and Surf in the Green Trail, and made his debut in the Amateur Hunt Seat Equitation with Carolyn’s daughter, Parris. This guy is going to be something special! Despite being green and new to the show environment, he handled it all like a seasoned veteran. Parris was thrilled about her 5th place finish with Bert in the Equitation, especially since she has been away at college and has had very limited riding time on him!
While we have returned home from Del Mar a little muddier than we were when we arrived we feel great about what we accomplished while we were there! We had some new horse and rider teams begin to solidify their relationships, and some more seasoned teams work on their finesse. Congrats to all our clients on a great show!
