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Oaks
Blenheim International CSI-A To Host Final Selection Trials for
the 2002 World Equestrian Games
San
Juan Capistrano, CA—May 16, 2002—Oaks Blenheim Exhibitions
is proud to announce that the Oaks Blenheim International CSI-A,
to be held July 25-28, in San Juan Capistrano, CA, will be hosting
the United States Equestrian Team’s final three rounds of Selection
Trials for the 2002 World Equestrian Games.
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 will be held at the Oaks
Blenheim Exhibitions – Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park. Selection
Trials for the Sydney Olympic squad were held at the San Juan Capistrano
venue in 2000.
Selection
Trials #5 and #6 for the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain
will be held concurrently with the $175,000 Cargill Grand Prix of
the United States, presented by HBO, on Sunday, July 28. The two
rounds of the Table A class will count as the fifth and sixth score
respectively for riders competing in the Selection Trials. The scores
from the Grand Prix will be the final scores used to determine the
team for the World Equestrian Games. The World Equestrian Games
will be held in Jerez, Spain in September.
The
first three Trials will be held July 20 and 21 at the Del Mar Horse
Park in Del Mar, CA. Trial #4, a $25,000 class presented by Budweiser,
will be held at Oaks Blenheim on Friday, July 26. While the Friday
class will be open only to those riders in contention for the WEG
team, invitations to compete in Sunday’s Grand Prix have also
been extended to an elite group of international riders. Joining
this country’s top riders in the Cargill Grand Prix will be
reigning World Champion Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil, 2000 Olympic Gold
Medalist Jeroen Dubbeldam of The Netherlands, and four-time British
Olympian Michael Whitaker.
Other
exciting classes to be held during the CSI-A are the $35,000 Budweiser
International Speed Derby, the $25,000 St. Regis Resort International
class for horse/rider combinations not competing in the Selection
Trials and the $10,000 National Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic.
Last
year, 2001 USA Equestrian Rider of the Year, Todd Minikus, made
a clean sweep of the featured classes, winning the $25,000 Welcome
Class, the $35,000 Speed Derby and the $175,000 Cargill Grand Prix
of the United States. Minikus will no doubt be returning, along
with all the other elite show jumping riders who will be looking
to earn a spot on the U.S. team for the World Equestrian Games.
In addition to exciting show jumping competition, spectators will
enjoy a range of activities and entertainment. Admission on Thursday,
July 25, is free, and is $15 on the remaining days. Three-day passes
are also available for $35. Friday, July 26 will feature live music.
Saturday, July 27, is Kids Day with an Extreme Games Promo and a
Soccer Shoot Out to be held between classes.
Blenheim
EquiSports, under the direction of Olympic veteran rider Robert
Ridland and CEO R.J. Brandes, is one of the country’s largest
equestrian management and promotion companies. Events managed by
Blenheim EquiSports include the 2000 Budweiser World Cup Finals
in Las Vegas, the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team Trials and the inaugural
Oaks Blenheim International CSI-A.
For
more information on the Oaks Blenheim International CSI-A, please
visit www.blenheimequisports.com
or www.capistranofestival.com
or call (949) 443-1844.
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