Del Mar, United States – August 22, 2026 – International showjumping during the Hits Del Mar Summer Classic I at the Hits Del Mar Horsepark in Del Mar, California, came to an exciting conclusion on Saturday, August 22, with the $90,000 Grand Prix of Del Mar CSI 2*, presented by Maria Mendelsohn and Douglas Elliman. Marking the penultimate week of hunter/jumper competition for the season at the world-class venue, the event features a CSI 2* division and also boasts a World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) designation, drawing top riders across both the hunter and jumper disciplines. In the marquee class of the week, it was Keri Potter (USA) that claimed victory aboard Kalimera van de Nethe Z after besting a thrilling 15-horse jump-off.
Thirty-one combinations took on the first-round track designed by Tucker Williams (USA), which gave a full winding tour of the iconic Grand Prix Grass Field. Elisa Broz (USA) was the first to tackle the course, and she put the pressure on the rest of the field straight away with a fault-free performance aboard Consult Picobello Z, the 11-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Cicero Z van Paemel x Nabab de Reve) owned by Hidalgo. With a strong starting lineup representing eight nations, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ireland, Israel, Venezuela, and the United States, an impressive 14 additional duos joined Broz in jumping clear to advance to the jump-off and bring the total to 15 contenders.
“I thought the first round was a good course,” said Potter. “The turns were nice; there were a few options. We had a lot of really high-quality riders and great horses. Even though there ended up being quite a few clear rounds, I felt like the people who jumped clear were on it and deserved to jump clear.”
Returning for round two, Broz and Consult Picobello Z once again set the pace with another clear effort in a time of 50.43 seconds. That left the remaining pairs racing across the short course for the top prize. However, as many risked for reward, it came at cost and poles fell throughout. Undaunted, Camilo Rueda (COL) brought the leading time down to 49.81 seconds with Indus van het Keysereyck, the 18-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Carabas vd Wateringhoeve x Nabab de Reve) he owns with Santiago Rueda Ucros.
James Chawke (IRL) took over the position with Daido van’t Ruytershoz Z, the 12-year-old Zangersheide mare (Dieu-Merci van T&L x Bamako de Muze) owned by Britt Lloyd, in a time of 49.01 seconds.
Though it seemed possible to go faster, it proved difficult to do so without a rail. That is, until Potter stormed the course with Kalimera van de Nethe Z. They stepped on the gas to take almost a full two seconds off the time to beat, stopping the clock in 47.16 seconds and effectively closing the door on the remaining challengers to run away with the win. Chawke ultimately had to settle for the runner-up spot, while Rueda claimed the final podium placing in third, and Broz’s time held up for fourth.
“This horse has pretty much one gear, so once I open her up, it’s just a matter of time that we get to the next fence and hopefully be able to turn,” shared Potter of the 11-year-old Zangersheide mare (Kasanova de la Pomme x Bessemeind’s Quasimodo Z) she owns in partnership with U.S. Olympian and fellow competitor Karl Cook. “The jump-off suited her well with the long gallops. It got a little bit challenging at the end of the course, but somehow we pulled it off and ended up with a win.
“This horse has been challenging since day one, but she’s amazing,” she continued of fiery bay she has had the ride on for two years. “The partnership has been successful and not successful at times. At the end of the day, we are either first or last, and today, luckily, we were first.”
It was a fitting end to the week for the West Coast native Potter, who has enjoyed countless blue-ribbon moments at the Hits Del Mar facility.
“This venue, to me, means a lot,” she expressed. “I am a local, so I’ve been jumping on this grass since I was 10. It’s very nostalgic for me to be here. Honestly, the atmosphere is spectacular here and the grass is wonderful. With the ocean breeze, it can’t get any better.”
For her win, Potter was also presented with the Frank & Eileen Leading Lady Rider Award.
With that, international show jumping concludes for the week but resumes once again on Thursday, August 27, for the final installment of the 2026 Hits Del Mar Show Series, the Del Mar Summer Classic II. National competition, including WCHR action, continues through Sunday, August 23. For complete results, please visit http://www.showmanagementsystem.com.
Final Results – $90,000 Grand Prix of Del Mar CSI 2*, presented by Maria Mendelsohn and Douglas Elliman
1) Keri Potter (USA) & Kalimera van de Nethe Z – 0 / 0 – 47.16
2) James Chawke (IRL) & Daido van’t Ruytershoz Z – 0 / 0 – 49.01
3) Camilo Rueda (COL) & Indus van het Keysereyck – 0 / 0 – 49.81
Source: Press Release from Hits Horse Shows
Photos: © McCool Photography
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