International show jumping at HITS Del Mar in Del Mar, California, came to a thrilling conclusion on Saturday, August 30, 2025, with the $90,000 CSI2* Grand Prix of Del Mar. The action-packed show series, featuring elite hunter, jumper, and equitation classes, has hosted top athletes all season long, and the final week of competition, the HITS Del Mar Summer Classic II, was no exception. In the marquee event of the week, it was a win for the United States, as Karl Cook and his Olympic-team-silver-medalist partner Caracole de la Roque stormed the iconic Grand Prix Grass Field and galloped straight into the winner’s circle.
Esteemed FEI Level 3 course designer Marina Azevedo (BRA) set the final track for the star-studded field of 31 horse-and-rider combinations. Leading off was 2022 Canadian Show Jumping Champion and winner of Friday’s $31,020 CSI2* Winning Round Ali Ramsay and Conrado 12. They showed the remaining challengers just how to do it with the first clear round. They were joined by nine others, including Ramsay’s other star mount Bonita vh Keizershof Z, 2016 Olympic team silver medalist Lucy Davis Kennedy (USA) and her 2022 Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen winner Ben 431, as well as the winners of the HITS Del Mar Summer Classic I’s $90,000 Maria Mendelsohn/Douglas Elliman CSI2* Grand Prix, James Chawke (IRL) and Daido van’t Ruytershof, just to name a few.
Across the short course, Ramsay and Conrado 12, the 12-year-old Zangersheide gelding (VDL Cardento 933 x Diarado) owned by David Sport Horses Inc and Ramsay Equestrian Inc., once again set the standard, leaving all the poles in the cups in a quick time of 41.25 seconds. Soon after, however, Chawke and Daido van’t Ruytershof Z, an 11-year-old Zangersheide mare (Dieu-Merci van T&L x Bamako de Muze), shaved the leading time down to 39.59 seconds. As the penultimate duo to contest the short course, hometown hero Cook, who is based out of his Pomponio Ranch South in Rancho Santa Fe, California, and Caracole de la Roque did what they do best, racing across the grass for a fault-free effort in 38.32 seconds, ultimately claiming the victory. Chawke had to settle for the runner-up spot this week, and Ramsay finished her impressive showing in third with Conrado 12 and fourth with Bonita vh Keizershof Z.
“She’s been doing so great this year,” said Cook, who with Caracole de la Roque tallied several five-star grand prix wins on his summer European tour. “It’s just so nice to be able to be home and show at your home show that’s five minutes down the road. I grew up coming to this show.
“‘Cara’ felt amazing today,” he continued of the 12-year-old Selle Français mare (Zandor Z x Kannan GFE) owned by Signe Ostby. “The first round she just felt so focused and straight and in the game. Then in the jump-off, I just tried to go as fast as I could, staying in control, not taking any crazy, wild risks, and just enjoying this wonderful mare.”
With the U.S. national anthem playing, international show jumping during HITS Del Mar Summer Classic II came to a close. National hunter, jumper, and equitation competition continues through Sunday August 31, concluding the 2025 hunter/jumper season at HITS Del Mar. Dressage takes over the venue once again for HITS Del Mar Dressage Fall on September 6-7. For complete results, please visit showmanagementsystem.com.
