12 SIDELINES JULY 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
But showing on the West Coast has its challenges too. Dale
points out that logistically, California is very far from anywhere.
With a smaller pool of riders than can be found on the East Coast,
coupled with fewer FEI shows, it can be very tough for West Coast
riders to climb the world ranking list and stay there.
Dale and other horse show organizers like Blenheim
Equisports are making changes that can have a positive impact
on some of these challenges. For instance, Dale will offer more
FEI classes at his shows and will increase the rating of some
classes from CSI ** to CSI ***. And, he believes having events
like the prestigious LA Masters will encourage more international
riders to come to the West Coast as well. “This event will bring
a lot of visibility and awareness to the sport of show jumping in
an area of Downtown LA, which has never seen it before,” he
said. “It’s really important to finally have stuff like this on the West
Coast.”
So what’s next for West Palms Events? The Del Mar National
is a huge show with over 1,000 stalls held on the beautiful
fairgrounds adjacent to the legendary Del Mar Racetrack. Then in
July and August, the newest additions to the West Palms Events
slate are in Huntington Beach. In September and October the
schedule is huge, with two weeks in Sacramento in the pastoral
countryside of Rancho Murieta, the LA Masters at the convention
center in downtown Los Angeles and two weeks again in Del Mar.
Throw in a couple World Cup Qualifiers, several Hunter Derbies
and a dozen Grand Prix just to keep it interesting. If that’s not
enough, in September West Palms Events will be managing a
show in Sacramento, the LA Masters and a show at Flintridge, all
during the same week!
When Dale Harvey came to the West Coast, he couldn’t have
known what an excellent decision that would be for so many.
Exhibitors on the West Coast benefit year after year from that
decision. His shows are in beautiful venues; they’re well executed
and always have a little panache and formality that makes the
exhibitors feel like they’re participating in something very special.
After years as a rider, trainer, course designer and horse show
organizer, Dale Harvey’s star continues to rise. He has become
one of the horse show industry’s preeminent organizers and has
Dale awards the Lead Line class.
Photo by Captured Moment Photography
Dale Harvey
and Amistad
Photo courtesy of
Dale Harvey
carved out an extraordinary career.
About the writer: Sophie St. Clair is a high school freshman from Southern
California. She has an interest in the psychology of high performance athletes. She
is also a Junior Ambassador for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles where she works
to raise funds and awareness for the hospital. Sophie is working toward becoming a
professional show jumper but is taking it “one jump at a time.”
