Del Mar, California, USA – August 29, 2024 – International show jumping returned to Hits Del Mar on Thursday with the $39,000 Voltaire Designs Welcome CSI 2*. Hot on the heels of his grand prix victory during the Del Mar Summer Classic I, Shawn Casady (USA) once again delivered the winning ride with Cool Quarz to kick off two-star competition the during Del Mar Summer Classic II.

Esteemed FEI Level 4 course designer Bernardo Costa Cabral (POR) set the first-round track for the international field of 41 horse-and-rider combinations representing eight nations. Time proved to be a factor with four duos crossing the timers just over the allotted 70 seconds, but 14 pairs managed to find the clear path. With Matt Archer (USA) withdrawing from the jump-off to save his mount Luigi vd Bishop for later in the week, 13 pairs remained to race for the top prize.

In the jump-off, riders took chances in an effort to achieve the fastest time, but as they risked for reward, poles fell. Olympian Cassio Rivetti (BRA) looked like he might have shut the door on the competition as he and Edesa’s Vidal 8, a 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Vigo d’Arsouilles STX x Baloubet du Rouet) owned by Monarch Farms, LLC, flew through the timers clear in 35.95 seconds.

However, it was not meant to be. Toward the end of the order, Casady and Cool Quarz stopped the clock in 35.40 seconds to just edge out Rivetti, who would have to settle for second.

Eduardo Sanchez Navarro (MEX) was less than a second behind with Grandje O in the highly competitive class. He and the 13-year-old KWPN gelding (Cardento 933 x Voltaire Pref) owned by Operadora Yeguadas Haras la Mexicana S.A de C.V. finished in third in 36.03 seconds.

“His heart is his biggest strength,” enthused Casady of the 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Quarz x San Patrignano Cassini) owned by Morning Star Sporthorses. “Then it’s his natural step, scope, and athleticism that make him so amazing.”

Casady, of Agoura Hills, California, is no stranger to the winner’s circle at Hits Del Mar and is certainly making the most of the Endless Summer Jumping Tour series at the venue.

“It’s a unique and special show environment,” he said of the Del Mar Horsepark facility. “It’s not your normal horse showgrounds. It’s right by the water, and this is a neat town. Plus, there’s a really great community of people here.”

International competition picks back up on Saturday, August 31, with the $100,000 SummitMax Grand Prix CSI 2*, while national classes continue through Sunday, September 1. 

Final Results – $39,000 Voltaire Designs Welcome CSI 2*

1) Shawn Casady (USA) & Cool Quarz – 0 / 0 – 35.40

2) Cassio Rivetti (BRA) &Edesa’s Vidal 8 – 0 / 0 –

3) Eduardo Sanchez Navarro (MEX) & Grandje O – 0 / 0 – 36.03

Source: Press Release from Hits Horse Shows

Photos: © Hits Horse Shows / High Desert Photo

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