San Juan Capistrano, CA—May 16, 2002—Oaks Blenheim Exhibitions is proud to announce that the Oaks Blenheim International CSI-A, to be held July 25-28, in San Juan Capistrano, CA, will be hosting the United States Equestrian Team’s final three rounds of Selection Trials for the 2002 World Equestrian Games.

This year marks the second annual Oaks Blenheim International CSI-A, which was the country’s first outdoor CSI-A (international individual show jumping competition). It is also the second time Selection Trials to determine a USET squad will be held at the Oaks Blenheim Exhibitions – Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park. Selection Trials for the Sydney Olympic squad were held at the San Juan Capistrano venue in 2000.

Selection Trials #5 and #6 for the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain will be held concurrently with the $175,000 Cargill Grand Prix of the United States, presented by HBO, on Sunday, July 28. The two rounds of the Table A class will count as the fifth and sixth score respectively for riders competing in the Selection Trials. The scores from the Grand Prix will be the final scores used to determine the team for the World Equestrian Games. The World Equestrian Games will be held in Jerez, Spain in September.

The first three Trials will be held July 20 and 21 at the Del Mar Horse Park in Del Mar, CA. Trial #4, a $25,000 class presented by Budweiser, will be held at Oaks Blenheim on Friday, July 26. While the Friday class will be open only to those riders in contention for the WEG team, invitations to compete in Sunday’s Grand Prix have also been extended to an elite group of international riders. Joining this country’s top riders in the Cargill Grand Prix will be reigning World Champion Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil, 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist Jeroen Dubbeldam of The Netherlands, and four-time British Olympian Michael Whitaker.

Other exciting classes to be held during the CSI-A are the $35,000 Budweiser International Speed Derby, the $25,000 St. Regis Resort International class for horse/rider combinations not competing in the Selection Trials and the $10,000 National Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic.

Last year, 2001 USA Equestrian Rider of the Year, Todd Minikus, made a clean sweep of the featured classes, winning the $25,000 Welcome Class, the $35,000 Speed Derby and the $175,000 Cargill Grand Prix of the United States. Minikus will no doubt be returning, along with all the other elite show jumping riders who will be looking to earn a spot on the U.S. team for the World Equestrian Games.

In addition to exciting show jumping competition, spectators will enjoy a range of activities and entertainment. Admission on Thursday, July 25, is free, and is $15 on the remaining days. Three-day passes are also available for $35. Friday, July 26 will feature live music. Saturday, July 27, is Kids Day with an Extreme Games Promo and a Soccer Shoot Out to be held between classes.

Blenheim EquiSports, under the direction of Olympic veteran rider Robert Ridland and CEO R.J. Brandes, is one of the country’s largest equestrian management and promotion companies. Events managed by Blenheim EquiSports include the 2000 Budweiser World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team Trials and the inaugural Oaks Blenheim International CSI-A. For more information on the Oaks Blenheim International CSI-A, please visit www.blenheimequisports.com or www.capistranofestival.com or call (949) 443-1844.