Weekend Recap From 2017 Sun and Surf With Kili Crawford
Results:
EC Blog by: Kili Crawford
Day 2-
Today proved to be a busy, fun-filled show day in beautiful Del Mar, California at the Sun and Surf Circuit. The day kicked off with the English and Trail running in two different arenas, but don’t worry, there was a longing pen and two practice pens available for anyone not showing. One of the great things about the Del Mar Horse Park is that it has plenty of room and arenas.
The English pen started with Hunter Under Saddle followed by Hunt Seat Equitation. I had the opportunity to chat with Kelsey Jung, who had a young roan in hand. She told me that the Sun and Surf was this horse’s first show and had some growing to do, but he was a cool horse. I was so excited to hear that she came away with a first place aboard her new mount in the English events that morning.
Meanwhile, in the Trail pen, the open riders had their go in Junior and Green Trail. It was a beautiful day for a show. It was a balmy 70 degrees with a slight breeze. It was perfect for those sparkly outfits and long-sleeved shirts while showing. Don’t let the nice weather fool you into thinking you don’t need to put your sunscreen on. I made that mistake the first day!
After the English concluded, there was a $1,000 added open 3-year-old NSBA futurity. It had a nice turn out with eight entries and quite the crowd. It’s a two-day futurity, so we will have to wait until Saturday to find out the winner. It’s always fun to watch the future of the industry make their start.
Across in the Trail pen there was also a 3 & 4-year-old NSBA Trail Futurity in the works. It’s also a two-day futurity, so I will keep you updated on the champions to come.
The Del Mar Horse Park also has a boarding stable attached where predominantly jumpers reside. On occasion, they will ride their horses over to see what’s happening at the show. Today, we had an adorable little girl visit on her Paint pony to check out the show.
The Western Pleasure pen was greeted with great numbers including 16 in the Novice Amateur class. The Horsemanship classes saw even bigger numbers with 20 in the Amateur Horsemanship. It was a tough class of fearless competitors who were found chatting and laughing at the end of the pen while waiting to be called back to the rail. Lauren Stanley and Alyssa Fritz both came away with wins in that deep class.
By now, the sun had started to set as the Amateur and Select Amateur Trail drew to a close and everyone drifted off to go to dinner, a walk on the beach, or some much needed relaxation time.
Day 3-
As the temperatures rose into the mid 70s today, so did the level of competition. The Showmanship and Halter classes kicked off the day, running smoothly and moving swiftly into Pleasure Driving. It’s so fun to see Pleasure Driving at a show, because it’s not something that’s showcased much at a lot of shows. Pleasure Driving is such an interesting class to watch as they flow through the trot gait to the park gait. It’s so different than anything I do, and I loved watching and learning a bit more about it.
The Trail pen was also in full swing, where they had a non-pro futurity running with amateurs, youth, and select alike competing against each other. It’s always interesting to watch and see the best in each category compete against each other to see how they stack up. The Western Riding followed the lunch break. There were good numbers in Western Riding as about 20 showed up to compete in the Green division.
As winners continue to be crowned, first place exhibitors headed over to visit the prize tent. There you will find t-shirts, hats, buckets, laundry baskets, and gift cards to choose from. There’s also a beautiful saddle waiting to be won if your name is pulled out of the hat. Every exhibitor is entered each time they go into a class. So, the more classes you do, the more chances you get!
As the Western Riding continued, the second party of the show, the Sponsor’s Party started. This is a crowd favorite because there is a steel drummer to give that beach, island, relaxed feel. Again, the party was accompanied by great food and beverages for all to enjoy. It was the perfect way to enjoy the amazing Senior Western Riding horses compete in a deep class as the sun slowly sank on another beautiful day at an amazing horse show.
Day 4-
What a day to be alive in beautiful Del Mar! The show carried along quickly today as the second day of the English events and Western events continued. You could hear the winners of the day being called as circuit champions were named! Megan Hawkins had a great show so far and came away with the Circuit Champion award in Amateur Hunt Seat Equitation and Amateur Western Pleasure. Meanwhile, Klay McDowall received the Circuit in Youth Western Pleasure on BF Fun Size and also won the exhibitor drawing of a Harris Saddle! Natalia DeVencenty, also in the McDowall barn, got the circuit win in Youth Horsemanship.
Miranda Mitten has had a successful show with her mount Sudden Persuasion as they came away Circuit Champions in the Amateur Trail and Reserve in the Amateur Hunt Seat Equitation. Meanwhile, in the Select pen, it was a sister’s day as Kathy Tobin and Susie Johns won the Circuit and Reserve Circuit in the Horsemanship. It was also the second day for the 3-year-old Futurity and 3 & 4-year-old Trail Futurity. The Vickery barn came away with both wins on two different, roan horses. Bruce Vickery won the Trail futurity with Lauren Stanley’s horse, Extremely Good Stuff, and Anthony Montes with The Lone Ranger won the Pleasure Futurity.
A special award was started in honor of the late Harriet Yakatan who was well known and respected around the shows. Known as a lover of the pleasure pen, the Harriet Yakatan perpetual trophy was created for the Select Western Pleasure class. It was awarded for the first time today to Bobbie Shaw. Making it even more special is that Harriet’s children came to present the awards along with her grandchildren. It was an emotional, feel good award that drew a crowd to watch and honor Harriet.
All in all, it was a day of great prizes, amazing horses, tough competition, and gracious winners.
