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 $90,000 Del Mar Classic CSI2* Grand Prix takes place on Sunday.
For full results, please visit showmanagementsystem.com.
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