The West Coast is becoming a prov- a clear score. The first three jumps were clear and
ing ground for young riders in the big- “I really thought the course would she way shaving corners, just in case.
ger divisions. Two Grand Prix wins give us a lot for the jump off, this will When she approached the combina-
this spring went to two up and coming be a nice class,” said Dale Harvey after tion, you could have heard a pin drop.
young ladies who got the chance to sit the class, but before the jump off. “Ac- Over the vertical and then high into
at the head of the autograph table. tually interesting to see what happens. the air with room to spare over the
Laura Teodori started off the late Maybe the young ladies, Audra Fleck- oxer, she was the only one to make it
spring series with a huge win in the Snijders, Alicia Jonsson and Laura this far with no rails.
$100,000 Grand Prix at Del She is a quick one, this
Mar, and Katherine Bardis fol- young lady. All of a sud-
lowed up with a win at the Me- den you could see the ride
morial Day Grand Prix on the change, and she made the
grass field. Both of these young long trip to the next ver-
ladies led the victory gallop for tical, which left it in the
the first time in their relatively cups. Galloping all the way
short careers in the big ring. across the ring to the last
In the big class at Del Mar, oxer, she simply slowed
eighteen year old Laura Te- down before she got there,
odori galloped her way to jumped it like an equitation
the only double clear perfor- fence and it stayed stand-
mance of the evening; taking ing. The only double clear
home the winner’s check for for the win!!
$30,000. Riding her own Ka- The crowd was ecstatic,
sour D’Uxelles, she was the last foot stomping, cheer-
to go in a four horse jump-off, ing, screeching and hol-
and took the path of slower, lering for all they were
but clean. worth. They had made
After a week of qualifiers at this young lady the favor-
the 63rd Annual Del Mar Na- ite, in their eyes, and the
tional Horse Show in Del Mar, win was theirs also. The
California, the final competi- lap around the ring on the
tion on Saturday night brought way to the in gate only es-
back thirty competitors looking calated the sounds. As she
for the top money. Classes that passed each section of the
have $100,000 in their title are bleachers, they rose to the
a bit rare, and for Del Mar, it occasion and rewarded her
seems like the entire city turns with even more. Del Mar
out to watch. is famous for their crowds
With packed stands, amaz- and this is why; a wonder-
ing awards, super weather, ful show of appreciation.
friendly competitors, over- “The course was fantas-
flowing rows of vendors and tic tonight. Leopoldo does
Leopoldo Palacios setting the that the very best!” said
jumps, the class was a Saturday Rudy Leone after the class.
night delight. The course was a good Teodori, can out do Ali Nilforushan “I don’t think there was a ‘toughest
one, not difficult, but a good one, and tonight since there are three young part’ anywhere; there were problems
very deceptive to walk. Nothing tricky ones and him taking a shot here in a for the riders at all of the jumps. Prob-
or trappy, just a nice course, or so the minute.” ably the half step to the triple bar into
riders thought. Comments were any- In the end, it was all up to Laura the triple combination was the tricki-
where from “Hum”, to “There has Teodori. Talking with Rudy Leone, est, but it was do able for sure.”
to be a trick, it can’t be this easy for her trainer, at the back gate, the advice He went on, “The horse for Laura
$100,000”, to “This is a class for MY was, “Just leave them up; time doesn’t was just awesome tonight. The ‘kid’
horse”, to a trainer saying “Better not matter when a class is like this.” The is a talented rider and a really good
kid yourself!” But the result is undeni- crowd was clapping as she entered the student. She is a coach’s dream. It
able; only four left the first round with ring, and then it got really quiet. doesn’t take too many words to get
Opposite Page: Katherine Bardison on This Page Top to Bottom: Laura’s excitement;
Pariska 2 with Mousie Williams. Pariska 2 & Katherine Bardis
25
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84