On the Scene at the 2nd Annual Del Mar Classic CDI

Brought to you by Mushroom Matrix Health Products By Christina Beal for DressageDaily

On Saturday night, Kim Keenan of KP Events had a special party to honor San Diego’s hometown Olympian, Steffen Peters and his mount, Ravel, for their great success in Hong Kong. Co-hosting the affair was Title Sponsor Mushroom Matrix Health Products They served wine from Quailhurst Vineyards. Mushroom Matrix gave away fabulous gift baskets full of Mushroom Matrix products and wine. A live auction was also held to benefit and help offset the huge cost of putting such a large show.

Footings Unlimited graciously donated two packages that included Airfoot Footing Material for a new dressage arena, which brought in $13,000 ($1,000 over the cost) and offsetting the final costs of the show. At the end of the auction, a grateful and teary-eyed Kim Keenan thanked her sponsors, supporters, judges, riders and entire dressage community for contributing to this show. The FEI Judges also donated a unique opportunity: a seat at each of the judges’ boxes during Sunday’s Grand Prix Freestyle, C, M, H, E, and B.

The highlight of the evening was a special insider’s view to Steffen Peters’ experience at Hong Kong. Peters along with FEI ‘O’ Judge Axel Steiner, gave both a rider’s and judge’s perspective on the Peters’ and Ravel’s Olympic rides. The two provided commentary and the audience watched the Grand Prix and Freestyle rides from the Olympics. Peters explained each movement and how he felt each about each. When explaining the Grand Prix Special test he said, “I liked this test, Ravel was really relaxed, more relaxed in the GPS then in the GP. However, he was slightly behind my leg in some of piaffe and passage tour.” He went on to explain the weather and how miserable it was. “Even at night, it was really hot, 100 degrees with 100 percent humidity. I think I lost about 10 pounds while I was there!”