On Sunday, April 20, the final day of the 2025 HITS Del Mar National Horse Show Dressage Week, international CDI action came to a thrilling conclusion. The last halt salute and awards presentations marked another incredible year of competition at the HITS Del Mar Horsepark in Del Mar, California, for one of the most coveted West Coast events, which garners the title of USEF Heritage Show. In the marquee event of the week, the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI3*, presented by DISC Surgery Center of Carlsbad, it was Kristina Harrison-Antell (USA) and Finley that earned the top score of 72.180% for their second win in as many days.
Not only was the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI3* the week’s highlight, it also served as a qualifying opportunity for the new US Equestrian Open Dressage Final. HITS Del Mar is one of just a handful of venues to have been selected as part of the qualifying process for the prestigious Final, which aims to showcase Olympic equestrian disciplines to a broader audience. By securing the victory, Harrison-Antell accrued valuable points toward her bid to contest the Final.
“Finley was great today,” said Harrison-Antell of her 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood (Don Jovi x Rubels) that she has brought along since the gelding was a coming three-year-old. “He was a little nervous to start, but he settled as the test went on, and he got better and better. I was pleased that he really began to relax as he got going. He definitely felt his best today. There’s still room for improvements, but the future is bright.”
Harrison-Antell’s performance with Finley tallied consistent marks from judge at E Debbie Rodriguez (USA), judge at H Mariette Sanders-van Gansewinkel (NED), judge at C Sarah Geikie (USA), judge at M Federico Pinteus (POR), and judge at B Brenda Minor (CAN). They especially impressed in the pirouettes, notching several 8’s.
“My music is from the TV show ‘Succession,’ and when I watched the HBO series, I just knew that it was perfect,” shared Harrison-Antell. “It’s my favorite freestyle music of all time, and Karen Robinson did the music editing and choreography to bring it all together.”
For her victory in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI3*, Harrison-Antell was presented with The Two Dancers Perpetual Trophy, which was first presented to five-time U.S. Olympian Steffen Peters in 2011. Created by Georgia Griffiths and sponsored by the firm she founded in 1989, G2 Software Systems, Inc., The Two Dancers Perpetual Trophy was named in honor of Griffiths’s two beloved show horses, Dancing Queen and Petit Danseur, musical freestyle champions in their own right. Texas sculptor, Olva Stewart Pharo, designed and forged the trophy as well as the keepsake individual plaques for each year’s winner.
Finishing in second place with a personal best score of 69.935% was Nadine Schwartsman and Royal Flash R, a 14-year-old Rheinlander gelding (Riccio NRW x St. Ludwig’s Donnerschlag) owned by Kelli Hajjar. Schwartsman, who has been training with U.S. Olympic team silver medalist Sabine Schut-Kery for the past three years, showcased a fun and lively freestyle. Her music featured songs by Katy Perry selected by Schwartsman’s stepdaughter, Sophia, and a floorplan designed by Schwartsman’s former groom, Dylan, who operates her own Glint Custom Freestyles.
“I was really happy with Royal Flash; he felt amazing,” expressed Schwartsman. “I think he was really with me. He’s a sensitive horse, so he got a little bit excited in the warmup arena, but then when I came to the show arena, he actually got really calm and listened very well. I made a few mistakes myself, but I thought he was perfect. Every time we’ve gone out, our scores have gone up, and I hope the trend continues.
“It was that perfect balance of having power, but still having relaxation, and that can be so hard to do,” she continued. “It felt like I had it just right today. I couldn’t stop smiling. I was just grinning from ear to ear the whole time.”
Schwartsman also topped the FEI Intermediate I Freestyle CDI1* earlier in the day aboard Tenterhofs El Chapo, an 11-year-old Rheinlander gelding (Escolar x Rohdiamant) owned by Tracy Cook. In just their second CDI together with a test set to music from the video game Kingdom Hearts, the duo put in a solid performance for a 65.890%, gaining valuable experience.
“He definitely was very impressed by the whole atmosphere, but I’m so grateful that HITS puts on these shows exactly for that reason, because I can’t duplicate this in Idaho,” explained Schwartsman, who is based out of Les Bois Dressage in Eagle, Idaho. “I need to get into these atmospheres so that ‘Empire’ can become more confident. I think he’s very talented, of course. He’s a lot of fun to ride; he’s incredible, and I think he’s going to be really special. We drove 1,000 miles to get here, and it was really worth every mile. We’ll be back next season at every show.”
For her win in the FEI Intermediate I Freestyle CDI1*, Schwartsmann was awarded the Rubino Bellissimo trophy, in memory of the great Hanoverian stallion Rubino Bellissimo (1996-2014) owned by Jen and ridden by Holly Bergay. The exquisite Murano Glass sculpture was first awarded in 2015, donated by the San Diego Saddle Club, Bergay, and Violet Jen of Wonderful Sport Horses.
The HITS Del Mar National Horse Show continues with Hunter/Jumper Week on April 29-May 4, while dressage competition returns on July 17-19 with the CDC Road to Champions, RAAC and Junior Champions. Full CDI results can be found HERE, while national results can be found HERE. For more information, please visit www.HITSShows.com.
