Top Riders
From USET Computer List Invited to
Oaks Blenheim International CSI-A
San
Juan Capistrano, CA—July 8, 2002—The nation’s best
show jumping riders have been extended invitations to compete at
the second annual Oaks Blenheim International CSI-A, to be held
July 26-28, in San Juan Capistrano, CA. The Oaks Blenheim International
will serve as host of the final three U.S. Equestrian Team (USET)
Selection Trials to pick the U.S. squad for the 2002 Show Jumping
World Championships to be held at the 2002 World Equestrian Games
(WEG) in Jerez, Spain in September.
This
year marks the second annual Oaks Blenheim International CSI-A,
which was the country’s first outdoor CSI-A (international
individual show jumping competition). It is also the second time
selection trials to determine a USET squad are being held at the
Oaks Blenheim Exhibitions – Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park.
Selection trials for the USET’s Sydney Olympic squad were held
at the San Juan Capistrano venue in 2000. This year’s $175,000
Cargill Grand Prix of the United States, presented by HBO, on Sunday,
July 28, will be the final event that determines the show jumping
squad that will represent the United States at the World Equestrian
Games.
Many
of the top riders on the USET Show Jumping Computer List are contenders
to represent the USET at the WEG. Currently leading the Computer
List by a solid margin is red-hot McLain Ward of Brewster, NY. Ward
recently won the $50,000 Rolex/USET Show Jumping Championship at
the Bayer/USET Festival of Champions, presented by State Line Tack,
at the USET Olympic Training Center in Gladstone, NJ. He is entered
in the trials on Viktor, the horse on whom he won the USET Championship
and also placed fourth in the World Cup Final in April, and on Rio.
Placing
second to Ward at Gladstone, and ranked number two behind him on
the USET Computer List, is seven-time American Grandprix Association
(AGA) Rider of the Year Margie Goldstein Engle of Wellington, FL.
Engle is entered on her 2000 Sydney Olympic mount, Hidden Creek’s
Perin, and on Hidden Creek’s Jones.
Also
receiving invitations to compete were seven other U.S. Olympic veterans
including Engle’s 2000 Sydney teammates Nona Garson of Lebanon,
NJ, Lauren Hough of Wellington, FL and Laura Kraut of Oconomowoc,
WI. Other Olympians invited include three-time Olympic medalist
Joe Fargis of Southampton, NY, 1992 individual Bronze medalist Norman
Dello Joio of Wellington, FL, plus two-time Olympic medal winners
Leslie Howard of Westport, CT and Anne Kursinski of Frenchtown,
NJ. Joining this country’s top riders in the $175,000 Cargill
Grand Prix will be show jumping’s reigning World Champion Rodrigo
Pessoa of Brazil.
The
first of the final three Selection Trials, Trial #4, a $25,000 class
presented by Budweiser on Friday, July 26, will be open only to
those riders in contention for the World Equestrian Games. However,
the $175,000 Cargill Grand Prix of the United States, as well as
many other classes throughout the horse show including the $35,000
Budweiser International Speed Derby, will be open to other riders
invited to compete. In addition, the $25,000 St. Regis International
Jump-Off class to be held on Friday will be restricted to horse/rider
combinations not competing in the Selection Trials.
In
addition to exciting show jumping competition, spectators will enjoy
a range of activities and entertainment. General admission is free
on Thursday, July 25 and is $15 per person on the remaining days.
Three-day passes are also available for $35. Friday, July 26 will
feature live music. Saturday and Sunday, July 27-28, will host a
Kids Day, sponsored by Fidelity Investments, with an Extreme Games
Promo and a Soccer Shoot Out to be held between classes.
Blenheim
EquiSports is one of the country’s largest equestrian management
and promotion companies. Events managed by Blenheim EquiSports include
the 2000 Budweiser World Cup Final in Las Vegas, the 2000 U.S. Olympic
Team Trials, and the inaugural Oaks Blenheim International.
For
more information on the Oaks Blenheim International CSI-A, please
visit www.capistranofestival.com
or call (949) 443-1844.
A
list of the top-ranked U.S. riders invited to the Oaks-Blenheim
International CSI-A and their expected mounts follows:
Rider Horse(s)
Molly
Ashe Kroon Gravin, Resolute
Misti Cassar Fahrenheit, Pasadena
Norman Dello Joio Glasgow, Quirel, Peace Train
Joe Fargis Edgar
Alison Firestone Crocodile Dandy, Casanova, Royal Future
John French Millenium
Kimberly Frey Bergerac, Conawara
Nona Garson Capital S
Margie Goldstein Engle Hidden Creek’s Perin, Hidden Creek’s
Jones
Marley Goodman Apprapos, Razia, Mr. Acobat
Eric Hasbrouck Ludwig, Miss Fio
Lauren Hough Clasiko, Windy City
Leslie Howard Priobert de Kalvarie, Harry Potter
Chris Kappler Royal Kaliber, Korina, Ursa Major, Rafiki
Candice King Caliskan, Elu de la Hardiere, Quintin
Laura Kraut Anthem, Liberty
Anne Kursinski Eros, Escapade
Mark Leone Pinkata de Longpre
Marilyn Little Hertel Landman
Beezie Madden Judgement, Innocence, Conquest II
Jenni Martin Pop Socks
Todd Minikus Gardenio, Oh Star
Schuyler Riley Ilian
Nikki Shahinian Simpson El Campeons Cirka Z, El Campeons Petri
Will Simpson El Campeons Ado Annie
Ray Texel Fleur, Pershing
Jimmy Torano Lancier 4, Aguila
McLain Ward Viktor, Rio
Peter Wylde Fein Cera
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