Tuesday, April 29, marked the start of the HITS Del Mar National Horse Show, which signals the beginning of the 2025 HITS Del Mar Show Series. Recognized as a USEF Heritage Show, the HITS Del Mar National Horse Show is one of the most anticipated equestrian events on the West Coast and welcomes athletes of all levels to the HITS Del Mar Horse Park in Del Mar, California, from developing riders to Olympians. With elite hunter competition taking place throughout the week, the action culminated in the season’s first $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Great American Insurance Group, on Friday, May 2. After two exciting rounds, it was Katie Gardner that was piloted Qualisy around the to take the win.
In a competitive field, Gardner executed a top performance with Qualisy, a 17-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Quality X Silvio I) owned by Erica Putnam, earning a first-round base score of 87.75, plus two additional points for high options. That put the pair into second place heading into the handy round, just fractions of a point off leader Jordan Kilkenny with Gestalt, a 10-year-old Warmblood gelding (Cabrio van de Heffinck X Ekstein) owned by Jamie Stryker. As the penultimate combination to contest round two, Gardner laid it all on the line, scoring an 89.50, plus six bonus points, for a two-round total of 185.25, ultimately securing the victory. Kilkenny settled for the runner-up spot with an overall score of 183.00, while Skylar Wireman and Boston, a 12-year-old Polish Warmblood gelding by sire Larron owned by Alison Stocker, finished just behind them in third with a final score of 182.50.
“This wasn’t exactly on the schedule for this week, but Qualisy has really taken to this new phase of his career,” explained Gardner “His jump is soft, lofty, and so powerful, and everything just lined up really well going into this. He was a grand prix horse for a very long time; he has only done a few hunter shows now, which is incredible.”
Supported and encouraged by the Endicott family, who operate Pegasus Show Stable out of bases in Rancho Santa Fe, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara, California, Gardner and the talented gelding have the USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals on their radar, though Qualisy also has an important job with his lessee, Desi Cyr, in the equitation ring. In the meantime, it certainly has been a memorable HITS Del Mar National Horse Show for the team.
“I love this show and the vibe,” expressed Gardner, who is a California native. “The horses are relaxed here, and this is very nostalgic for me.”
Hunter competition continued to thrill as riders took to the ring for the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. Rising to the occasion, Emily Esau Williams delivered a standout performance aboard Sligo, an eight-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Morgan Beyler, securing the win out of 15 elite horse-and-rider combinations. The pair earned an 87.00, plus two high option points, in the first round and followed up with an 86.00, again adding two bonus points, in the handy for an overall score of 177.00, demonstrating consistency and precision throughout the event.
“The horse went really well; he jumped beautifully, and I’m super happy with him,” enthused Esau Williams. “Morgan [Beyler] and her mom are very generous for allowing me to ride him, and our goal is to just keep him happy and going nicely.”
Lindsay Ransom and Arctic Fox, a seven-year-old gelding by Cornet Obolensky owned by Christine Rocca, claimed second place with a total score of 174.25. Finishing just a quarter of a point behind, Jason McArdle and Imothas HS, an eight-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Imothep owned by Hyperion Stud LLC, rounded out the top three in third place on a final score of 174.00.
Junior and amateur competitors rode into the spotlight for the $10,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby where it was amateur rider Chelsea Wilkinson Mains and Celebration, her own 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Cantoblanco x Lord Pezi), that came out on top with an overall score of 177.00. Desi Cyr and Chatino PS, a nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Exelero 2 X Careful 28) owned by JT Equine LLC, earned a final score of 175.00 for second place, while Katharine Reuter and Square Won, a 10-year-old Warmblood gelding by sire Cornet Obolensky owned by Kimberly Maloomian, rounded out the podium in third with a score of 174.00.
In the $1,000 Surfside 2’9” Hunter Derby, Sybil Jane Rose and Ciacolini, a 14-year-old gelding (Ciaco’s Son S X Libero H) owned by Homestead Lane Farm, earned the blue-ribbon honors. In the $1,500 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby, Violet Dalton and Miss Miracle, a 13-year-old Welsh Pony Cross mare by Sire EMC Entourage owned by Dalton Equestrian LLC emerged on top.
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.
