Kristina Harrison-Antell and Nadine Schwartsman Win on Final Day of 2025 CDI Del Mar

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2025 CDI Del Mar

--- HITS Del Mar press release, edited by Eurodressage

Kristina Harrison-Antell made it two victories out of two starts on the final day of the 2025 Del Mar National Horse Show Dressage Week CDI 3* on Easter Sunday 20 April 2025.

In the marquee event of the week, the 3* Grand Prix freestyle, Harrison-Antell (USA) and her 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Finley (by Don Jovi x Rubels) earned the top score of 72.180% for their second win in as many days. She bested a group of four competitors in the Kur to Music.

Not only was the Grand Prix Freestyle the week’s highlight, it also served as a qualifying opportunity for the new US Equestrian Open Dressage Final. HITS Del Mar is one of just a handful of venues to have been selected as part of the qualifying process for the prestigious Final, which aims to showcase Olympic equestrian disciplines to a broader audience. By securing the victory, Harrison-Antell accrued valuable points toward her bid to contest the Final.

"Felt His Best"

“Finley was great today,” said Harrison-Antell. “He was a little nervous to start, but he settled as the test went on, and he got better and better. I was pleased that he really began to relax as he got going. He definitely felt his best today. There’s still room for improvements, but the future is bright.”

Harrison-Antell’s performance with Finley tallied consistent marks from judge at E Debbie Rodriguez (USA), judge at H Mariette Sanders-van Gansewinkel (NED), judge at C Sarah Geikie (USA), judge at M Federico Pinteus (POR), and judge at B Brenda Minor (CAN). They especially impressed in the pirouettes, notching several 8’s.

“My music is from the TV show ‘Succession,’ and when I watched the HBO series, I just knew that it was perfect,” shared Harrison-Antell. “It’s my favorite freestyle music of all time, and Karen Robinson did the music editing and choreography to bring it all together.”

Two Dancers Perpetual Trophy

For her victory in the Freestyle Harrison-Antell was presented with The Two Dancers Perpetual Trophy, which was first presented to five-time U.S. Olympian Steffen Peters in 2011.

Created by Georgia Griffiths and sponsored by the firm she founded in 1989, G2 Software Systems, Inc., The Two Dancers Perpetual Trophy was named in honor of Griffiths’s two beloved show horses, Dancing Queen and Petit Danseur, musical freestyle champions in their own right. Texas sculptor, Olva Stewart Pharo, designed and forged the trophy as well as the keepsake individual plaques for each year’s winner.

Schwartsman and Royal Flash Runners-Up

Finishing in second place with a personal best score of 69.935% was Nadine Schwartsman and Royal Flash R, a 14-year-old Rhinelander gelding (by Riccio x Donnerschlag) owned by Kelli Hajjar. Schwartsman, who has been training with U.S. Olympic team silver medalist Sabine Schut-Kery for the past three years, showcased a fun and lively freestyle. Her music featured songs by Katy Perry selected by Schwartsman’s stepdaughter, Sophia, and a floorplan designed by Schwartsman’s former groom, Dylan, who operates her own Glint Custom Freestyles.

Nadine Schwartsman on Tenterhof's El Chapo

“I was really happy with Royal Flash; he felt amazing,” expressed Schwartsman. “I think he was really with me. He’s a sensitive horse, so he got a little bit excited in the warmup arena, but then when I came to the show arena, he actually got really calm and listened very well. I made a few mistakes myself, but I thought he was perfect. Every time we’ve gone out, our scores have gone up, and I hope the trend continues.

“It was that perfect balance of having power, but still having relaxation, and that can be so hard to do,” she continued. “It felt like I had it just right today. I couldn’t stop smiling. I was just grinning from ear to ear the whole time.”

Royal Flash R was sourced in Germany. The horse was competed by Regina Deiss and Daniel Lohmüller before Jürgen Höfler took over the ride and produced him to Grand Prix level. He showed him nationally until September 2023.

Schwartsman Wins More

Schwartsman also topped the Intermediate I Kur earlier in the day aboard Tenterhofs El Chapo, an 11-year-old Rhinelander gelding (by Escolar x Rohdiamant) owned by Tracy Cook. In just their second CDI together with a test set to music from the video game Kingdom Hearts, the duo put in a solid performance for a 65.890%, gaining valuable experience.

“He definitely was very impressed by the whole atmosphere, but I’m so grateful that HITS puts on these shows exactly for that reason, because I can’t duplicate this in Idaho,” explained Schwartsman, who is based out of Les Bois Dressage in Eagle, Idaho. “I need to get into these atmospheres so that ‘Empire’ can become more confident. I think he’s very talented, of course. He’s a lot of fun to ride; he’s incredible, and I think he’s going to be really special. We drove 1,000 miles to get here, and it was really worth every mile. We’ll be back next season at every show.”

Rubino Bellissimo Trophy

For her win in the Intermediate I Freestyle Schwartsmann was awarded the Rubino Bellissimo trophy, in memory of the great Hanoverian stallion Rubino Bellissimo (1996-2014) owned by Violet Jen and ridden by Nicole Perry and Holly Bergay.

The exquisite Murano Glass sculpture was first awarded in 2015, donated by the San Diego Saddle Club, Bergay, and Violet Jen of Wonderful Sport Horses.