2006 Del Mar National Horse Show
The finest equestrian athletes in the nation will gather for the 61st annual premier horse show, the Del Mar National, which runs Thursday, April 20th through Sunday, May 7th. The 2006 National Horse Show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds near
San Diego, California, will offer more than $350,000 in prize money. The world-class event will feature three disciplines – Western, Dressage, and Hunter/Jumper. Each discipline will be featured during a different week:
– Western Week April 20-23
– Dressage Week April 27-30
– Hunter/Jumper Week May 2-7
Western Week April 20-23
The highlight of Western Week is Night of the Horse – Saturday, April 22, at 7:00 p.m.The marquee event will be a showcase of equestrian talent, tricks, tributes and daring. The equestrian acts during Western Week will include vaulting, Roman riding, and equestrian drill teams. Tommie Turvey and his amazing trick horse, Poker Joe, will be the featured act.
Tommie was born in the San Diego area and now lives in Illinois. He is a second-generation horse trainer. Pokerjoe and Tommie have been together for seven years. They travel more than 100,000 miles a year performing in front of thousands of people. Pokerjoe is the veteran of Tommie’s herd of paint horses.
Other events during Western Week include:
– The $500 Triple Crown Feeds Challenge of the Breeds
Only two entries of each breed are allowed to enter the Triple Crown Feeds competition. To win the Challenge of the Breeds, competitors must enter in three of four classes offered: Pleasure Driving, Trail, Hunter Under Saddle, and Western Pleasure which is a mandatory class.
The2005 Triple Crown Feeds Challenge of the Breeds competition at the Del Mar National Horse Show was won by Vanessa Holland of Carlsbad, CA, on her black Quarter Horse mare Kenya Mox. They bested a field of Quarter Horse, American Paint, Pinto, Andalusian, and Norwegian Fjord breeds.
– The $500 Sliding Contest
Any rider can enter any breed in the Sliding Contest. The winner is determined by the longest paralleled sliding tracks in the better of two runs. Kenny Ennis of Chino Hills, California, and his horse Pretty April Melody won the 2005 Sliding Contest at the Del Mar National Horse Show.
Dressage Week April 27-30
The highlight of Dressage Week will be The Evening of Musical Freestyles on Saturday, April 29, at 7:00 p.m. Dressage has the reputation of being the “black tie and tails” event because of the impressive artistry and elegance displayed by horse and rider during the competition.
Riders who are expected to compete in the The Evening of Musical Freestyles at the 2006 Del Mar National Horse Show include Debbie McDonald on Brentina – the 2005 USEF Horse of the Year.
Del Mar’s National Dressage Show this year will offer a NAYR Region 7 Selection Trial and qualifying competition for the USEF/Markel Young Horse Program. FEI Junior classes, FEI Young Horse division, and USDF Young Rider qualifying classes will be included in the competition.
Hunter/Jumper Week May 2-7
The 2006 Del Mar National Horse Show will wrap up the final week with two major events in the breath-taking Hunter/Jumper competitions. The $25,000 Surfside Grand Prix Qualifier takes place on Thursday, May 4th, at 7 p.m. The $100,000 HBO Grand Prix of Del Mar on Saturday, May 6th will showcase some of the best jumpers in the world performing in the Del Mar Arena.
How to Get There
The Del Mar Fairgrounds is located 20 miles north of downtown San Diego, at 2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard in the city of Del Mar, California. You can see the fairgrounds from Interstate 5. Exit the freeway at Via de la Valle and head west. Take the first left onto Jimmy Durante Boulevard. Signs will direct you to the fairgrounds entrance.
Admission to the 2006 Del Mar National Horse Show is free on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Grandstand seats for evening and weekend day shows will cost you $10-to-$17. You can get tickets by calling the Fairgrounds Equestrian office at 858-792-4288, or through Ticketmaster. Parking at the Del Mar Fairgrounds is $8.00.
Places to Stay & Things to do
If you’re from out of town and looking for a place to stay when you visit the 2006 National Horse Show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, there are number of fine hotels nearby.
– The Hilton Del Mar is located at 15575 Jimmy Durante Boulevard. (858-792-5200 or 800-833-7904)
– L’Auberge Del Mar Resort and Spa is located on the northwest corner of 15th & Camino Del Mar. [Jimmy Durante Boulevard veers left and turns into Camino Del Mar.] Drive through 15th and take first left on Plaza Drive into the L’Auberge Del Mar entry. (800-245-9757)
– The Best Western Stratford Inn is located at 710 Camino Del Mar. The Best Western Stratford Inn has some rooms which overlook the Pacific Ocean, as well as poolside rooms and rooms with courtyard views. (858-755-1501 or 888-478-7829)
– The Del Mar Inn has old world charm and is within walking distance to the sandy beaches of the Pacific. It is located at 720 Camino Del Mar. (858-755-9765 or 800-451-4515)
Nearby attractions include the famous Torrey Pines State Reserve. Shopping at The Del Mar Plaza, located on Camino del Mar, provides a collection of shops, galleries, boutiques, a gourmet market and ocean view dining. The Del Mar Plaza is open 7 days a week. Restaurants at the plaza have extended hours.
