International show jumping competition during Del Mar Summer Classic I at HITS Del Mar in Del Mar, California, kicked off on Thursday, August 22, 2024, with the $39,000 Purina Animal Nutrition CSI2* Welcome. From the talented field of athletes representing eight nations, it was four-time Mexican Olympian Jaime Azcárraga Romandía that claimed the top prize riding Baileys vom Ilum.

World-renowned FEI Level 4 Course Designer Marina Azevedo (BRA) set the challenging first-round track, which saw 11 of the starting 37 horse-and-rider combinations jump fault-free. In the jump-off, poles fell and faults accrued as athletes galloped across the Grand Prix Field and took chances to achieve the best time. Ultimately, none could match the double-clear performance and blazing speed of Azcárraga Romandía with Baileys vom Ilum, who stopped the clock in 40.89 seconds.

Jaime Azcárraga Romandía and Baileys vom Ilum. Photo © High Desert Photo Co

“I think it was a nice course because you could have a mistake and pick up faults in every part,” noted Azcárraga Romandía. “That’s what I like of a good design. It shouldn’t be just one part that gives everybody trouble. There were a lot of lines set with half strides along all the way, so you really had to make decisions about what was best for your horse. That’s a beautiful thing. Marina is one of my favorite designers.”

Azcárraga Romandía bought the 11-year-old Swiss Warmblood by Baie de Villeclare about two years ago. They have competed together successfully though the three-star level in shows across Mexico and Europe, but the $39,000 Purina Animal Nutrition CSI2* Welcome marked their first international show in the United States.

“I’m really happy with the result today,” expressed Azcárraga Romandía. “The horses had some time off, and now that they’re back to showing, they feel fresh and ready to go. I always like to ride them in the morning before the class and see how they are feeling and try to vibrate with them in the same tune. I could tell today they were feeling excellent.”

Shawn Casady and Cool Quarz. Photo © High Desert Photo Co

Just behind Azcárraga Romandía was U.S. rider Shawn Casady with Cool Quarz. Casady and the 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Quarz x San Patrignano Cassini) owned by Morning Star Sporthorses, LLC crossed the timers just fractions of a second off the winning pace in 41.16 seconds. Fellow American athlete Elisa Broz and Consult Picobello Z, a nine-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Cicero Z van Paemel x Nabab de Reve) owned by Hidalgo, LLC, produced the final double-clear effort in 45.08 seconds to complete the top three.

Elisa Broz and Consult Picobello Z. Photo © High Desert Photo Co

Two-star action continues to an exciting conclusion on Saturday, August 24, with the $100,000 Great American Insurance Group CSI2* Grand Prix. For complete results, visit www.showmanagementsystem.com.