[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]The Grand Prix of California

• $60,000 in prize money
• 36 entries
• Speed: 375m/min
• National Standard

[/vc_column_text][dt_gap height=”10″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][dt_fancy_image type=”uploaded_image” image_id=”31364″ style=”2″ padding=”10″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ margin_left=”0″ margin_right=”0″ align=”left”][dt_gap height=”10″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Today’s course walk is the $60,000 Grand Prix of California. This class is the main event of the Ranch & Coast horse show. Today’s track was designed considering this is one of the most important Grand Prix in the west coast.

Let’s start the course walk![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][dt_gap height=”10″][dt_fancy_image type=”uploaded_image” image_id=”31365″ style=”2″ padding=”10″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ margin_left=”0″ margin_right=”0″ align=”left”][dt_gap height=”10″][vc_column_text]The course starts with a wall (1,44m) to oxer (1,45-1,40m) straight line set at a distance of 23.00 meters. The wall usually slows down the horses and the distance is set for five long strides, so riders really have to start riding at 375m/min since the first jump.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][dt_gap height=”10″][dt_fancy_image type=”uploaded_image” image_id=”31366″ style=”2″ padding=”10″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ margin_left=”0″ margin_right=”0″ align=”left”][dt_gap height=”10″][vc_column_text]#3 is Equ Lifestyle´s signature fence, it’s the first 1,50m jump of the course, and the solid white 10 ft. rails are always tough to jump.

After a right turn and plenty of room to gallop comes the second line in the course. #4 is an oxer set at 1.45-1.60m and pretty solid build with all the planks that contrasts with the airy build of obstacle #5 which is set at 1.47-1,50m. The distance is 19.10 meters which means 4 long strides, although since #4 is wide and pretty solid, there is a possibility to do five short strides to #5.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][dt_gap height=”10″][dt_fancy_image type=”uploaded_image” image_id=”31367″ style=”2″ padding=”10″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ margin_left=”0″ margin_right=”0″ align=”left”][dt_gap height=”10″][vc_column_text]The first combination comes after a rollback turn, #6a is a vertical 1,50m and #6b is an oxer set at 1,45-1,50m. The combination of solid white and solid black rails makes this combination though to jump, and the 7.50m distance in between rides a little short.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][dt_gap height=”10″][dt_fancy_image type=”uploaded_image” image_id=”31368″ style=”2″ padding=”10″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ margin_left=”0″ margin_right=”0″ align=”left”][dt_gap height=”10″][vc_column_text]#7 is a triple bar (1,50-1,80m) that comes after a 7 or 8 stride bending line, and is related to #8 which is a very delicate vertical with the Liverpool at the back. The distance is set for 6 steady strides (24,60m) to the Liverpool that is 1.54m high.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][dt_gap height=”10″][dt_fancy_image type=”uploaded_image” image_id=”31369″ style=”2″ padding=”10″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ margin_left=”0″ margin_right=”0″ align=”left”][dt_gap height=”10″][vc_column_text]#9 is a 1.55m tall vertical with 8ft poles, and comes before the triple combination.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][dt_gap height=”10″][dt_fancy_image type=”uploaded_image” image_id=”31370″ style=”2″ padding=”10″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ margin_left=”0″ margin_right=”0″ align=”left”][dt_gap height=”10″][vc_column_text]The triple combination(10a,b,c) has several aspects that make it difficult even though the distance between the three elements is pretty normal. The three elements are going a little bit downhill, it’s going towards the in gate and the material is pretty airy. 10a is 1.45 by 1.50m and is 11.20m from 11b which is 1.52m. The last element of the triple combination is also 1.52 m high and the distance from 10b to 10c is 7.90m.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][dt_gap height=”10″][dt_fancy_image type=”uploaded_image” image_id=”31371″ style=”2″ padding=”10″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ margin_left=”0″ margin_right=”0″ align=”left”][dt_gap height=”10″][vc_column_text]The last three obstacles on the course test scope and carefulness. #11 is an oxer that’s 1.50 high by 1.20 wide, the pin stripes on the rails make this fence really delicate and airy as well.

The last line on the course is an oxer (#12) that is 1.50 by 1.60m with solid gray rails and is 33.00m away from the last obstacle on the course. This line is difficult because at this point of the course the riders want to be fast and make the time allowed. The plank on top of the last jump also testes the horse carefulness and the riders ability to decide between riding 8 or 9 strides.

This course produced five clear rounds and there were faults in all the jumps except for the triple bar. The winners of the class were world famous Rich Fellers and Flexible.

It’s been a pleasure designing for the third time at the Ranch & Coast tournament, six days of great sport and as always top management!

The sport as a whole….

Oscar Soberon[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][dt_gap height=”10″][dt_fancy_separator separator_style=”line” separator_color=”default” el_width=”100″][dt_gap][vc_column_text]Articles about this Grand Prix:

http://showpark.com/?page=press&article_id=303

http://showpark.com/?page=press&article_id=301[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]