It was an exciting day during the 2025 HITS Del Mar National Horse Show’s Dressage Week on Saturday, April 19, at the HITS Del Mar Horsepark in Del Mar, California, with top international CDI action from start to finish. The highly anticipated Del Mar National Horse Show is one of the most iconic West Coast equestrian events and garners the prestigious title of USEF Heritage Show. Closing out the day’s competition in the Evergate Stables Arena was the FEI Grand Prix Qualifier for Freestyle CDI3*, presented by Sean Caddell and Associates, where Kristina Harrison-Antell piloted her longtime partner Finley to the top of the class.
Harrison-Antell and Finley have been together since almost the very beginning. The Los Angeles native purchased the now 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Don Jovi x Rubels) as a coming three-year-old, having been backed only about ten times. Since then, the duo have built quite the partnership, working their way up the levels to contest the CDI Grand Prix. Now, in the FEI Grand Prix Qualifier for Freestyle CDI3*, the pair put in yet another strong performance, earning an average score of 67.478% from judge at E Federico Pinteus (POR), judge at H Sarah Geikie (USA), judge at C Mariette Sanders-van Gansewinkel (NED), judge at M Brenda Minor (CAN), and judge at B Heidi Berry (USA).
“I was really, really pleased with him,” expressed Harrison-Antell. “This is our third CDI here at HITS Del Mar, and it has taken him up until now to be really settled in that arena. It’s a tough arena, very electric, so I was super proud of it. He tends to be very fearful of other horses too, so this is environment is a little difficult for him, but he warmed up great, and he was the bravest he has ever been. I could not have been happier with my warmup, and then just to go in there and keep it all together was so nice. It was the icing on the cake.”
Having grown up in California, Harrison-Antell is no stranger to the HITS Del Mar National Horse Show and the storied history of the esteemed competition. One of the longstanding traditions is the coveted golden pins, which have historically been handed out every year.
“I have all my pins from Del Mar National!” remarked Harrison-Antell. “Every year we went they gave a pin. Since the beginning of my career, I probably have been coming to this show somewhere between 25 and 30 years, so it was very special to win here today.”
Nadine Schwartsman (USA) and Royal Flash R, a 14-year-old Rheinlander gelding (Riccio NRW x St. Ludwig’s Donnerschlag) owned by Kelli Hajjar, claimed second with a score of 65.326%. Laura DeCesari and her 13-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (Romanov x Vivaldi), Rossi, finished on a score of 64.674% for third place.
Earlier in the day, 13 talented horse-and-rider combinations strutted down centerline for the Intermediate I CDI1*, presented by La Jolla Laser Clinic. Notching their second victory in as many days, Sarah Mason-Beaty (USA) and Liang once again achieved a personal best score, breaking the sought-after 70% barrier with a 70.147%. Nicki Grandia (USA) and Don Erré, an 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Don Federico x Fürst Nymphenburg) owned by Sheila Buchanan, finished in second with a score of 67.412%. Just behind them on a score of 67.383%, Günter Seidel (USA) and Bogart, a nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Beltano x His Highness 2) owned by Loise Leatherdale, completed the top three.
“I’m very proud of Liang today,” said Mason-Beaty. “Bringing along any horse is a journey, and I’m very grateful that I have my team with me, and I’ve had them with me all along the way for years and years now. I’m really grateful to them.”
In the FEI Grand Prix Qualifier for Special CDI3*, presented by Friends of Del Mar Horsepark, Seidel achieved another top placing, earning the winning score of 66.522% aboard Jack, a 13-year-old Rheinlander gelding (Glock’s Johnson TN x Dinemsion 4) also owned by Louise Leatherdale.
The 2025 HITS Del Mar National Horse Show Dressage Week continues through Sunday, April 20, highlighted by the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI3*, presented by DISC Surgery Center of Carlsbad, which serves 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. Full CDI results can be found HERE, while national results can be found HERE. For more information, please visit www.HITSShows.com.
