22nd District Agricultural Association : The 71st Annual Del Mar National Horse Show

April 21 through May 8 at the Del Mar fairgrounds

Enjoy a Party Experience! Reserve a Gourmet VIP Box
Available Every Saturday Night!
Tickets on sale NOW!

In its 71st year, the Del Mar National Horse Show runs Thursday, April 21, through Sunday, May 8, at the Del Mar Fairgrounds Arena. Elegance, excitement, and excellence are the hallmarks of the Del Mar National Horse Show, one of the oldest and most prestigious equestrian competitions in the Western United States. This three-week equestrian event features: Western Week - April 21 - 24; Dressage Week - April 28 - May 1; and Hunter/Jumper Week; May 3 - 8. Tickets on sale now at Ticketmaster. For more detailed information go to Del Mar National Horse Show.

The Del Mar Fairgrounds will host the Del Mar National's 71st year, a true testament to the show's enduring importance, both locally and on the international stage. It would be difficult to overstate the level of competition at the Del Mar National Horse Show, as Olympic, World Cup, and World Champion horses and riders compete here every year, a few of whom live in Rancho Santa Fe and the surrounding area. Each week features its own exhilarating signature event:The Night of the Horse (Western); Evening of Musical Freestyles (Dressage); the $25,000 Surfside Grand Prix presented by iJump Sports, the $5,000 Ride & Drive Classic presented by Competitive Equestrian Magazine and the $100,000 Grand Prix of Del Mar (Hunter/Jumper).

Enjoy the Del Mar National Gourmet VIP Experience! Every Saturday night features an entertaining and breathtaking extravaganza of exciting, equestrian escapades. VIP Boxes for the Saturday Night Events are a great way to enjoy the show and will accommodate a small group of up to eight people! p front and center, you will be treated to exceptional tableside service while you are served hors d'oeuvres, gourmet food, and wine. Also included is your personalized show box plaque and two parking passes. Contact the Box Office at 858-792-4252.

Western Week
Four American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Association (PCQHA) shows, and National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) classes are the hallmarks of Western Week. Spectators will see classes in Trail, Western, Reining, English, Barrel Racing, and more!
This week's featured evening performance, The Night of the Horse, sponsored by Mary's Tack & Feed, Saturday, April 23 at 7 p.m., presents multiple equestrian acts. The evening will explode with thrilling equestrian entertainment. Nat Geo Wild channel's Mustang Millionaire star, Bobby Kerr, and his team of wild American Mustangs will inspire with their entertaining display of courage and trust. A consummate horseman for over 40 years, Bobby has trained and successfully competed wild Mustangs, reining horses, cutting horses, and working cow horses. Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover Champion and Fan Favorite in 2011 and 2012, Bobby also made the finals of the 2014 Mustang Million with two of his prized horses. Bobby has been the recipient of numerous awards over the years, and most recently was nominated by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) as the 2015 Specialty Act of the Year.

Sylvia Zerbini, Sarasota's Circus Hall of Fame inductee and Cup of Monaco winner, will enchant with her band of white Arabian stallions performing difficult and intricate maneuvers at liberty (free of any bridles or saddles), guided only by her voice, Sylvia creates a truly memorable and mesmerizing theatrical performance. A ninth generation performer, Sylvia Zerbini has captivated audiences across the globe since the age of five.

Enrique Martinez, recipient of the Mexican President's Award for Excellence in the production of Aztec Fire!, commands a group of elaborately costumed, classically-trained horsemen as they reenact the fierce Aztec warriors of 12th century Mexico. The daredevil Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls hang their heads inches from the ground and vault from the sides and rears of galloping steeds. These highly-talented girls have performed in 19 countries, on five continents, and for Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth II.

The Victorian Roses Ladies Riding Society takes you back in time to the elegant and refined Victorian era of the 1880s. Radiant and beautiful ladies, resplendent in their historically accurate, colorful lace-covered gowns, gloves, hats, and parasols, symbolize the romance of the day as they ride immaculately turned-out horses and drive exquisitely restored, authentic carriages, all adorned with colorful roses. These acts and many more exciting acts will perform to the delight of spectators young and old!

Dressage Week
The Del Mar National has been designated as a selection event for the 2016 Olympics and the 2017 World Cup during Dressage Week. Many past Olympic, international and national champions will be on hand competing for the chance to represent our country. Additionally, competitors have the opportunity for their scores to help qualify for the 2016 USEF National Championships at both Grand Prix and Prix St. Georges; USEF National and International Young Horse Championships; USEF Developing Horse Championships and both the National and North American Junior and Young Rider Championships. The highlight of Dressage week is the exquisite 'Evening of Musical Freestyles' on Saturday night, April 30 at 7 p.m. Here the strength and beauty of the sport is showcased as horses and riders demonstrate the most physically and technically challenging movements to personally choreographed musical scores. Don't miss this chance to see our top US horses and the Dressage stars of the future.

Hunter/Jumper Week
This week's horses and riders will vie for more than $300,000 in prize money. On Friday, May 6 at 6:30 p.m., the $25,000 Surfside Grand Prix presented by iJump Sports, will host as many as 65 riders horses and riders who will compete for the chance to ride in our crown jewel, the $100,000 Grand Prix of Del Mar, on Saturday, May 7 at 6:45 p.m. An unparalleled action-packed evening filled with exciting speed, agility and nail-biting competition features world-class horses and riders who will set the bar very high, literally and figuratively, as they vie for this prestigious title and hefty paycheck! Don't miss the hilarious, fast and furious, $5,000 Ride & Drive Classic, presented by Competitive Equestrian Magazine, that same night! For the Ride and Drive, a show jumping horse and rider are asked to successfully jump a course, dismount, and run to get into a car to negotiate a similar course, without knocking down cones, spinning out, or wasting valuable time! It's raucous and hilarious, especially when the dash cam video is broadcast on the huge video boards!

About the Del Mar Fairgrounds
The 22nd District Agricultural Association is a State of California agency that owns and operates the Del Mar Fairgrounds, Surfside Race Place, Horsepark Equestrian Center and the Del Mar Golf Center. The 22nd DAA produces three events each year: the San Diego County Fair, the Del Mar National Horse Show and The Scream Zone. The Fairgrounds hosts more than 350 events annually, the largest of which is the live horse racing meet each summer and fall, which is operated by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club for the 22nd DAA and the State of California. For more information visit the Del Mar Fairgrounds.