Hunters Shine at Huntington Beach

By Staff Report August 9, 2015

In just three years, the Huntington Beach Summer Classic has come into its own, offering up am exciting mix of hunter and jumper classes in a lovely setting, the 25-acre Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center — all that and a fundraiser too.

It’s what exhibitors and spectators alike have come to expect from West Palms Events, whose larger shows manage to be unique and personal (the Del Mar and Sacramento International horse shows come to mind), while their more intimate events (Flintridge and Paso Robles are prime examples) feel grand.

The weekend’s activities that wound down the Aug. 6-9 activities at Huntington Beach were chockablock, concluding with the Grand Prix Hunter Derby and the S&S BankCard Systems Grand Prix of Huntington Beach and on to the Horse Nation Foundation Grand Prix Dinner-Dance.

“Saturday night held great evening classes at the Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center,” West Palms Events principal Dale Harvey said. “We are so happy that the Horse Nation Foundation had a successful fundraiser and the spectators enjoyed the event. Thank you to everyone who came and a special thank you to S&S BankCard Systems  for their wonderful sponsorship!”

In the afternoon, the Grand Prix Hunter Derby boasted a flowing course, created by renowned designer Rob Gage. The riders and their mounts navigated through the course that included two options, two combinations and a couple areas where the riders could save time with inside turns.

Jenny Karazissis on Proenza and Michael Leon on Celano were within seven points of one another after round one, prompting a second round. There were also two options in the second round. The course was annotated from the first round and riders were also rewarded for maintaining a swift pace and tidy turns by earning one extra bonus point for every second they were under the time allowed. In the end, it was Leon and Celano who finished with a score of 177 to win the class. Karazissis and Proenza were a very close second with 175 points.

The S&S BankCard Systems Grand Prix  provided a great competition for Saturday evening’s sold-out Horse Nation Foundation Grand Prix Dinner-Dance crowd. With many attendees new to the sport, the riders and their mounts provided an able introduction, exhibiting skill and precision around Gage’s jumper course. The 14 obstacles, including a triple combination across the diagonal, featured a combination on the rail right at the VIP tent.

The elaborate course allowed six pairs to advance to the jump-off. The jump off was a shortened course of 8 fences, including the combination on the rail by the boisterous crowd! Peter Petschenig and his own Saint Quentin were first in, going clear in a zippy 34.89 that triggered a very competitive jump-off. Stefanie Saperstein and Cender Van’t Zorgvliet were second, and clear, but not quite as fast (40.53). Mark Watring and his own Balyon rounded out the top three with four faults and a time of 40.38. (Petschenig also came in fifth on Consider 5.)

The sold-out Dinner-Dance crowd enjoyed the proceedings immensely, all the more for knowing the event’s proceeds were to go to a great cause;  the non-profit Horse Nation program pairs rescued horses with young people who are working on life-enriching lessons including gang and bullying avoidance, effective communication and building strong morals and values. The generous charity had a live and silent auction and held a VIP dinner to raise funds to support their continuous efforts.

The Huntington Beach show series got started last month, with the Huntington Beach Surf Classic, July 1-4.

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