Santa Anita Park Transformed

There we stood at Santa Anita Park. It was strange seeing the Grandstands from the other side of the racetrack. Yes, the Great Race Place had been transformed as we knew it into a World Class Show Jumping facility. As the sun set, the bustle of the Splitrock Jumping Tour’s first $400,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Qualifier Los Angeles CSI5*-W presented by Lugano Diamonds began while each of the 40 international professional riders walked the 1.60 course. It was a monumental moment and we were reminded that we were in store for a serious night of show jumping, entertainment and excitement.

Sitting in the perfectly thought out Lugano Diamond VIP area a strange pairing of non-horse spectators and equestrians came to light.. 1/st Racing and their partners had successfully combined the two through mindful experiences and activations that went beyond just a horse show it had become a highly anticipated event for any spectator, horse enthusiast or otherwise.

As the first rider made their way into the ring, we all knew that even the dewy rain was not going to dampen this historical event for not only Santa Anita Park but Los Angeles as a venue for future riding competitions. And with the help of our hosts, 1/St racing, one could count on the gold standard in hospitality for anyone attending.

Who won you ask? None other than local rider Karl Cook, a member of our Paris Olympic Equestrian team, who continues to show great strength and precision riding courses similar in size to Splitrock’s. Cook and Caracole de la Roque shined as they finished two perfectly executed clean rounds to secure the win of the $400,000 Longines FEI Jumping Work Cup TM Qualifier Los Angeles CSI5*-W presented by Lugano Diamonds out of a field of several International riders. This event proved to be quite the star studded event in the equestrian world, and will hopefully set the precedence for similar events in the future. What a wonderful way to experience Santa Anita Park and all it’s glory.