The 2025 HITS Del Mar National Horse Show kicked off an exciting season at the iconic HITS Del Mar Horse Park in Del Mar, California. The prestigious event is one of the most highly anticipated on the West Coast, garnering a USEF Heritage Show designation, and drawing some of the sport’s most talented athletes. The week’s highlight event, the $80,000 Grand Prix of Del Mar, presented by Core Specialty Insurance, featured on Saturday May 2, where Nick Gegen (USA) and One Question solved the challenging track, captivating spectators with a commanding performance to claim victory.
Course designer Mark McGowan (GBR) crafted a technical first-round track, featuring delicate combinations and efficient rollback turns to test riders’ precision. From the talented field of 36 horse-and-rider combinations, only three advanced to the all-deciding jump-off. In a thrilling finale, two duos once again delivered clear rounds, setting the stage for an exciting finish. Ultimately, it was Gegen and One Question that put the pedal to the metal, racing through the timers in 44.686 seconds for the win.
“He’s honest and loves his job,” said Gegen of the 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Daniel x Quiton) owned by Neaulani Farms. “I just try to stay out of his way and let him do what he does best. He won a class here on the grass last year, and he really seems to enjoy this venue.
“My wife gave me the ride on this horse, and I truly dedicate this win to her and my family,” he continued. “I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.”
At just 23 years of age, young talent Melody Liu (USA) and Napoleon van den Dael, a 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (For Passion D’ive Z x Eros Platiere) owned by Corsari Equestrian, finished just off the pace, producing the only other double-clear round in 44.825 seconds for second place honors. Ali Ramsay (CAN) and Conrado 12, the 12-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Cardento 933 x Diardo) she owns with David Sport Horses Inc, ticked two unfortunate rails in the jump-off to round out the top three in 45.715 seconds.
Jumper action at HITS Del Mar was exciting from start to finish, as the $5,000 Del Mar National Power & Speed kicked off the week on Tuesday, April 29, with a thrilling win for Kyle King (USA) and Bynamic’s Conthaloubet. King piloted the 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Conthargos x Baloubet du Rouet) owned by Molly Case and Janet Hischer, to a swift and precise jump-off, crossing the timers in 36.800 seconds to claim victory. Jason McArdle (USA) put forth an impressive performance, finishing second aboard Source Code, an eight-year-old KWPN gelding by Golden Dream owned by Alexandra Elardi, with a time of 37.187 seconds. Guillermo Obligado (ARG) rounded out the podium with a strong third-place finish, riding nine-year-old Pomme D’or, a Holsteiner mare (Vagabond de la Pomme x Cornet Obolensky) owned by Millberry Farm LLC, to a jump-off time of 38.965 seconds.
Wednesday’s $20,000 HITS Open Welcome saw an impressive finish from Skylar Wireman (USA), who secured both first and second place in a highly competitive field of 41 horse-and-rider pairs. Wireman claimed victory aboard her 19-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Catoki x Chambertin), Citoki, with a double-clear effort and a blazing jump-off time of 38.435 seconds. Her second-place mount, Barclino B, a nine-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Constanzehof’s Barcley x Lasino), also produced a fault-free score, clocking in at 38.858 seconds. Rounding out the podium was King, who earned his second top-three finish of the week aboard Bynamic’s Conthaloubet, stopping the clock at 38.970 seconds.
“I have had Citoki for over four years now, and we’ve competed in everything from junior jumpers to 1.55m five-star shows,” said Wireman of her longtime partner. “He has a massive stride, so I left out strides where I could to keep our time competitive.”
The $30,000 Alliant Private Client Cup was the highlight competition on Thursday, with Kaitlin Campbell (USA) and Karius, a 10-year-old KWPN gelding (Van Gogh x Drossan) owned by Mirasol Equestrian LLC, racing to the top of the leaderboard clear in 38.641 seconds to best 46 starting entries. Wireman pushed the pace aboard her own Tornado, an 11-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding, (Diarado x Chacco Blue), finishing just behind Campbell with a time of 38.843 seconds to secure second place. Rounding out the top three was Camilio Rueda (COL), who delivered a strong ride aboard My Boy Blue, an 11-year-old Canadian Warmblood gelding owned by Lucero Desrochers S, finishing third with a time of 39.708 seconds.
Continuing her streak of dominance, Wireman captured both first and second place in the week’s U25 Overlay with Tornado and Citoki, respectively. Liu completed the top three with impressive rides aboard Napoleon van den Dael.
Friday’s $15,000 STX Open Speed saw an exhilarating display of speed and precision with a large class of 44 contenders. James Chawke (IRL) and Nacara van Berkenbroeck Z, a 12-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Non Stop x Indoctro) owned by Alison Locke, flew to the win in 60.272 seconds. Jamie Gornal (GBR) finished in second with Nordic van de Fruitkorf, a 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Balou du Rouet x Caretino 2) owned by Highland Farm LLC, clocking in at 62.725 seconds. Reagan Tomb (USA) rode Marble Bridge B, an eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Greg Tomb, to a third-place finish with a time of 64.460 seconds.
The $24,500 Horseflight Classic delivered an exhilarating conclusion to the week’s competition, with 43 starting combinations vying for victory and more than 20 qualifying for the jump-off. Chawke and Nacara van Berkenbroeck Z continued their winning streak, claiming first place with a lightning-fast time of 29.836 seconds.
“He handled the tight turns on the grass very well,” reflected Chawke of his mount’s jump-off performance. “I saw some others stumble, but I wasn’t worried — he takes them with ease.”
King and Gulf’s Emir, a 12-year-old Warmblood gelding owned by Greg Tomb, finished just behind Chawke in 30.796 seconds for second place. Mariano Maggi (SWE) and Quantico 23, a 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Quidam de Revel x San Patrignano Cassini) owned by Ilan Ferder, rounded out the podium in third with a time of 31.675 seconds.
The 2025 HITS Del Mar National Horse Show showcased remarkable talent and exciting competition. With the conclusion of the action-packed week, riders now turn their attention toward the rest of the season, as the Del Mar Sunshine Classic gets underway on July 9, 2025.
