With the HITS Del Mar Summer Classic II coming to its finale at the HITS Del Mar Horsepark in Del Mar, California, the venue’s iconic Grand Prix Grass Field set the stage for the concluding chapter of international show jumping on Saturday, August 29, in the $90,000 CSI2* Grand Prix of Del Mar, presented by Purina Animal Nutrition. The class represents the culmination of an exciting 2026 season at the world-class facility, which has featured seven amazing weeks of competition, capped off with two weeks highlighted by a CSI2* division. As 27 horse-and-rider combinations vied for the final top FEI prize, it was Arturo Parada Vallejo (MEX) and Mon Faut-Tren, the last to jump off, that rose to the occasion and emerged victorious.
The starting lineup featured a diverse international field with athletes representing nine nations, such as Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ireland, Israel, Mexico, Sweden, and the United States, who took on the formidable first-round track masterminded by Canadian course designer Meghan Rawlins. With a demanding time allowed of 84 seconds, riders needed to be mindful of pace to conquer the winding course. The desire to beat the clock left many pushing to the end of the track, even perhaps more than necessary, and many incurred rails at the final few obstacles. Ultimately, only six athletes managed to produce a fault-free ride and advance to the exhilarating jump-off.
“It was definitely a tricky course,” said Parada Vallejo. “You really had to think about every line and take care of the jumps, especially the four-stride line at the end with the triple bar oxer to the tall vertical plank. Even though it was difficult, I had confidence in my horse.”
Molly Hutchinson (USA) opened the jump-off aboard Lord Alexander, but faults followed for her and the next three combinations. With Kaitlin Campbell (ISR) and Cosm Questa vd Heffinck on deck, Friday’s $31,020 FarmVet CSI2* Winning Round victors, the glory of back-to-back FEI wins was potentially just moments away. Taking to the turf, Campbell and the 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Cabrio Z x Cooper vd de Heffinck) owned by Mirasol Equestrian, LLC delivered the necessary clear round to take over the lead and set a new benchmark time of 40.040 seconds. In almost a reverse order to Friday’s Winning Round jump-off, Parada Vallejo, now in the advantageous position of going last, had all eyes on him.
Piloting Mon Faut-Tren, a nine-year-old KWPN gelding (Comme iL Faut 5 x VDL Cardento 933) owned by Jose Saavedra, Parada Vallejo met the challenge head-on, setting a time of 39.080 seconds on the scoreboard with zero faults, thus claiming the blue-ribbon honors. Campbell had to settle for the reserve spot this time around.
Natalie Banis (USA) and VDL E-Cecilia, a 14-year-old mare (Lavall 5 x Cassiano 3) owned by Kathyrn Phillips, completed the top three as the fastest four-faulter. Thursday’s $31,020 CSI2* Alliant Private Client Cup winners James Chawke and Daido van’t Ruytershof Z finished in fourth, Hutchinson landed in fifth, and Camilo Rueda (COL) with Indus van het Keysereyck completed the jump-off in sixth.
“I’m very happy with him,” enthused Parada Vallejo of his mount that he has been partnered with for a year, competing successfully through the five-star level. “His owners were here watching the show, and this result gives us a lot of hope for his future. Kaitlin Campbell was very fast, which made me feel lucky to go last. We just wanted to do our best and have the best time. I have been getting second places… and second, and second, and second. I was really hoping to get first place today and finish off my season at HITS Del Mar with a win on this horse.
“These are shows that I really like a lot,” he continued of his time at the facility. “I love the venue; I love the people. If I’m available and if there’s a show, I’m coming to HITS Del Mar.”
With that, international competition during the 2026 HITS Del Mar Show Series comes to a close, while national hunter, jumper, and equitation action concludes, Sunday August 30. The venue then gives way to dressage before the 2027 HITS Del Mar National Horse Show kicks off the hunter/jumper season anew. Fr complete results, please visit www.showmanagementsystem.com.
