Top athletes flocked to the West Coast on the week of August 18, 2025, as the HITS Del Mar venue in Del Mar, California, welcomed back not only FEI CSI2* competition, but also played host to another highly coveted World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) week. With an action-packed schedule ahead, international competitors geared up to contend the week’s first highlight event, the $31,020 CSI2* Alliant Private Client Speed Cup. Following an intense round of sport, the victory went to Simon Schröeder (GER) and Charlie Red Wine CS.
A total of 39 combinations with riders representing 10 different nations made up the starting field of the Meghan Rawlins (CAN)-designed track. Consisting of a single-round speed course, the task challenged the entries to produce a fault-free performance with the quickest time on the clock. While 14 of those entries gave it their best effort and finished with a clear effort, none were able to beat the blazing fast time of 64.78 seconds clocked in by Schröeder.
“Charlie Red Wine is a really special horse to me,” said Schröeder of his own 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Cornet Obolensky x Voltaire). “I have a really amazing connection with the horse. In the last two years, he has given me so much back; he’s just an amazing horse.
“The course was excellent, just a nice course to ride, and I appreciate it every time,” continued Schröeder of his experience across the speed track. “Del Mar has a beautiful arena and they do a beautiful job. I love it. I have to say that maybe I got a bit lucky, but we took it safe and took it home.”
Stopping the clock just off the mark, James Chawke (IRL) piloted Daido van’t Ruytershof Z, Jan van Alken’s 11-year-old Zangersheide mare (Dieu-Merci van T&L x Bamako de Muze), into second place with a time of 65.51 seconds. The podium was rounded out by Australia’s Matthew Williams riding NKH Vittorio S, NKH LLC’s 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Q-Verdi x Rheinsberg), finishing in third place with a time of 66.26 seconds.
Competition at HITS Del Mar will resume Friday, August 22, with featured classes taking place in both the jumper and the hunter disciplines. The morning on the Grand Prix Grass Field will kick off with the best in the hunter sport as they vie for top prize in the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Great American Insurance Group, before international athletes once again take center stage in the $31,020 FarmVet CSI2* Winning Round. For full results, please visit showmanagementsystem.com.
