The Showpark Summer Classic runs at the same time as a busy week at the Del Mar Racetrack down the road. Thoroughbreds in their new careers may have run on that very track in their younger racing days.
Hansen continued to explain that this is just the beginning of this program, and that it will continue to evolve with Broad's support. "He is very enthusiastic about thoroughbreds competing in the same arenas as the warmbloods; not separating them with a separate division, to show what they can do. And to reward those who put in the time to showcase the talents of the thoroughbred."
It turns out that as Cicero Farms' thoroughbred Atticus Pomponius was winning jumper classes at Showpark, they had a horse running at Del Mar Racetrack. Atticus didn't miss his racetrack days as with tough competition in the jumper ring, trainer Amy Hess of Hess Equine, LLC, collected 20.5 points in the .90m and 1.00m classes to earn the Oakmont Ranch Award.
Deborah Veal and Musik Train with Carolyn Biava, Laura and Mackenzie Hansen
It looked as if another Hess entry, Audible, would pick up the hunter award as well, when Deborah Veale's Musik Train took the lead. The pair won the Low Child/Adult Hunters on Saturday and took home the Oakmont Ranch Award on Sunday. Veale trains with Carolyn Biava and Lara Ware at First Field Farm.
Sarah Garsten and Prestige with Nancy Frost and Melissa Brandes
At the Blenheim Fall Tournament, the High Point Jumper Award was won by
Prestige, owned and ridden by Sarah Garsten. This pair accumulated a total of 31 points throughout the week, which included winning a Low Children's Jumper class, .90m class as well as earning Low Children's Jumper Reserve Champion.
Known as 'Noble' in the barn, Prestige just recently started in the jumpers. Garsten has shown him in the equitation, but loves the excitement of the the jumper ring! She trains with Nancy Frost at Sapphire Ridge, located at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center.
Rosey Barry and Jumping Jacks with Lauren Marie Vogel and Melissa Brandes
The Oakmont Ranch Thoroughbred High Point Hunter Award went to the well-behaved four-year-old Jumping Jacks, owned by Rosey Barry. Taking a turn in the .70m jumper ring, the young OTTB also competed in the Opportunity Cross-Rail Hunters with Barry.
Purchased off the track just 60 days ago, Jumping Jacks has a bright future in the show ring. Lauren Marie Vogel of Vogel Equine in Costa Mesa is Barry's trainer.
All the winning mounts smiled for the camera in the show ring 'winners circle'. Blenheim EquiSports would like to thank Oakmont Ranch, Gary Broad and Laura Hansen for creating and sponsoring these awards, as well as for recognizing the success of the American Thoroughbred in hunter-jumper competition.