The FEI CSI2 week at HITS Del Mar Horsepark in California featured the $90,000 Maria Mendelsohn/Douglas Elliman CSI2 Grand Prix on August 23, 2025, attracting top international show jumping talent. Canadian course designer Meghan Rawlins crafted a challenging course that tested 33 horse-and-rider pairs from ten countries, with only eight clearing the initial round and seven advancing to the jump-off. Ireland’s James Chawke, riding Jan Van Alken’s 11-year-old Zangersheide mare Daido van’t Ruytershof Z, secured a commanding victory with a fast jump-off time of 39.70 seconds, outpacing competitors from the USA and Australia who took third and second places respectively.
Chawke praised his horse’s speed and consistent performance at the venue, noting plans to continue competing with her before a break and future three- and four-star events later in the year. The international competition concluded with this event, while national hunter, jumper, and equitation contests continued through August 24. The show is set to resume international classes on August 27, maintaining HITS Del Mar’s reputation as a premier West Coast equestrian venue.
