The America's Young Horse
Championships
Monterrey,
Mexico
October 26 - 29, 2000
Report by Carol
Dean-Porter |
SHOW REPORT
The America's Young Horse Championships are held at the fabulous Club Hipico La Silla in Monterrey, Mexico from October 26 - 29, 2000.
Monterrey is in the state of Nuevo Leon, 150 miles south of Laredo, Texas which is just due south of San Antonio
The showgrounds is a private facility owned by the Alphonso Romo family, and is perfect in every detail. There is a vet hospital on the grounds, a fabulous indoor ring, two wonderful grass jumping fields including natural obstacles such as ditches, water, banks, a grob, a hedge, and a double liverpool combination. There is a dirt jumping field, a cross country course and numerous other dirt and grass
exercise areas.
La Silla is park-like and includes tennis courts, aviaries, swimming pools, rivers and a winding road, shaded by trees. The entire facility is surrounded by mountains, and the feeling is of being in a tropical forest.
The stable area is separated into National and International stable facilities, surrounded by chain-link fencing and a 24 hour per day guard. The stables are located at the top of a nearly 1/2 mile steep road, so time planning is essential! The horses must leave the stables at least 20 minutes before they are needed in the warmup areas.
The format for the four day show is a three ring schedule. The International classes are held in the main grand prix field. These classes range from 1.30 meters to 1.50 meters.
Special classes included the Derby, which was 800 meters long, 19 numbered obstacles of 22 jumping efforts. The time allowed was based on 400 meters per minute and most of the entries had time faults. There were only two clear rounds. Summer Burmington from Texas placed fifth.
The Grand Prix had only two clear rounds and Jaime Azcarraga from Mexico City was the winner.
The second grass ring is an amphitheater type field, surrounded by berms on all sides. At one end are tents with tables for VIPs. This was the site of the Young horse Championship classes. Classes are offered for 5, 6 and 7 year old horses. The first two day's scores are
totaled and the top 20 are invited to participate in the $30,000 final on Sunday. The horses who do not make the list of the top 20 are offered a $5,000 Consolation class on Saturday. The courses were demanding and exciting. The announcer told every horse's bloodlines, breeder and owner.
The third ring is for the National level classes, which are open to all and consist of 1.20 meter and 1.10 meter classes including speed, power and speed and jump-off classes.
There is an awards ceremony for each class, with all the riders appearing mounted, National anthems are played and there is always a victory gallop. In the two grass rings, when a clear round is recorded, the announcer plays a clip of music in celebration. The riders really look forward to hearing that music!
