Spectacular Sunday Brunch with Top Hunters Set for the Blenheim June Classic I Horse Show
Lexington, Ky. — April 5, 2017 — The United States Hunter Jumper Association will hold the $25,000 World Championship Hunter Rider West Coast Hunter Spectacular at the Blenheim June Classic I Horse Show on Sunday, June 11, 2017, at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano, California. This year the exciting featured class will offer spectators a “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” Sunday Brunch Gala to benefit the WCHR Program, which in part supports the USHJA Foundation Horseman’s Assistance Fund.
John French piloted Iwasaki & Reilly’s Small Gesture to first place in the 2016 $25,000 WCHR West Coast Hunter Spectacular. Photo Credit: McCool Photography
“We are ecstatic to be back at Blenheim on the picturesque grass field for this special class,” said WCHR Task Force Vice Chair Hope Glynn. “We encourage competitors and spectators to add this show to their calendars! Watching the gorgeous hunters from the hilltop VIP while enjoying brunch is a wonderful way to spend a Sunday morning.”
All WCHR Members are eligible to participate in this class with fence height options set at 3’6, 3’9″ or 4’0″. Both rounds are judged by at least two judging panels consisting of two judges each, and the top 12 horses will be called back for a second round from low to high score within their respective heights.
This marks the fifth year of the annual class, which was first won by Woodstock, owned by Sabrina Hellman and ridden by Hope Glynn. Hope Glynn and Emma Waldfogel’s King’s Peak took the title in 2014, followed by John Bragg aboard Laura Strasburg’s Social Hour in 2015. John French and Iwasaki & Reilly’s Small Gesture took the title in last year’s class out of a field of 30 entries competing for $25,000 in prize money.
Spectators are invited to the WCHR West Coast Hunter Spectacular Breakfast at Tiffany’s Brunch Gala to support the WCHR Program, which in part benefits the USHJA Foundation Horseman’s Assistance Fund. Table sales open online May 1 at www.ushja.org/WCHRWestCoast.
In addition to the West Coast Spectacular, the Blenheim June Classic I will feature high-score awards for the riders who achieve the single highest numerical score in any one class, within their respective hunter section, in each of the nine WCHR categories: Professional, Developing Professional, Amateur Owner 3’6″, Amateur Owner 3’3″, Adult Amateur, Junior 3’6″, Junior 3’3″, Children’s and Pony. Also, a plaque will be awarded to the rider who achieves the single highest numerical score in any one class within any WCHR hunter section during WCHR Spectacular week.
For more information about the WCHR Program, visit www.ushja.org/wchr.
About WCHR
The World Championship Hunter Rider Program was founded in 1992 to recognize and celebrate the hunter rider. Since the inaugural WCHR Professional Finals in 1992, the WCHR program has expanded to include coveted year-end awards for Professionals, Developing Professionals, Amateur Owners, Adult Amateurs, Juniors, Children’s and Pony riders.
Each year the top 10 nationally ranked riders in each WCHR category, as well as the top six riders from each region are invited to compete in their respective WCHR Challenge, except the Handy category, at the Capital Challenge Horse Show. For more information about the WCHR Program, visit www.ushja.org/wchr .
About Blenheim EquiSports
Blenheim EquiSports , an equestrian event management company based in San Juan Capistrano, California, produces events in three locations: San Juan Capistrano, Del Mar and Las Vegas, Nevada. The events include USEF “Premier” rated hunter-jumper shows featuring multiple grand prix events, a Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League event, USHJA International Hunter Derbies, Pony Finals, Medal Finals and more. More at showpark.com .