Del Mar, California – May 08, 2019 – Thirty-four competitors had a need for speed on the second day of FEI competition at the Showpark Ranch & Coast Classic. Galloping against the clock in hopes of securing a top spot in the $36,000 1.45m Speed Classic CSI 2*, it was Tina Yates (USA) Zelote VDL, owned by Highpoint Farm, LLC, who zoomed to victory after stopping the clock in 59.44 seconds.

Vani Khosla (USA) & Billy Mexico

The American and the fifteen-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion (Chin Chin x Achill/Libero H) swiped the lead from Vani Khosla (USA) and her fourteen-year-old Anglo-European Sport Horse stallion Billy Mexico (Cevin Z x Le Mexico), who ultimately finished second by less than half of a second with a time of 59.90 seconds.

Although women dominated the top two places, rounding out the top five were three men whose names are well known in show jumping circles – Richard Spooner (USA) aboard Thank God Investments LLC’s Arthos R (Namelus R x Mermus R), Will Simpson (USA) piloting his mount Chacco P, and yesterday’s winning jockey, Rich Fellers (USA), this time riding Ninou 2, owned by Kimberly Bruce.

Tina Yates (USA) & Zelote VDL with Penelope Yates and Melissa Brandes of Blenheim EquiSports

FEI competitors have a day off on Friday and the hunters will take center stage in the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby as the first class of the day. The final class of the FEI Gold Tour is the $75,000 1.45m Gold Tour Grand Prix CSI 2* on Saturday afternoon, which also serves as the final qualifying class for the Gold Tour Leading Rider Award, presented by Club Hípico La Silla. Currently holding the lead is Brazil’s Cassio Rivetti (BRA) with Rich Fellers (USA) nipping at his heels.

Source: Press release from Blenheim Equisports

Photos: © Captured Moment Photography