Thoughts On Memorial Day

Dear Friends,

I know this will come as a surprise to many who have become used to the end-of-the-week updates from Blenheim…and no, today is not Friday! It is of course Memorial Day, a time to honor and mourn the military personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country. It’s also the “unofficial” first day of summer, and usually for us, the start of the summer horse show season. I’m writing this though to express our hope that all of you have been able to spend a little time today together with your family (even if only on the phone or by ZOOM) and to reflect on what this day is all about.

But I am writing this in particular because on Saturday, I was reminded (actually I was called out!) by our daughter McKenna that there are some things more important than horse show schedules and spending our time worrying about when we can all get back to business! Her observation was sparked by my comments regarding the news that the City of Del Mar might designate the Horsepark as a temporary home for homeless veterans. She felt that my remarks might be construed as us viewing the whole situation as merely an “inconvenience” until we can resume our normal schedule next summer.

Today I am “putting pen to paper” to clarify and expand on what I wrote on Friday. Unequivocally, nothing could be further from what I intended to communicate. Should Del Mar Horsepark be designated as a housing facility for homeless veterans, we will wholeheartedly welcome them to what has been our home-away-from home over the years.

To all who have served our country, we thank you! Happy Memorial Day!

Robert Ridland
President, Blenheim EquiSports…and proud father of McKenna!

Blenheim EquiSports, an equestrian event management company based in San Juan Capistrano, CA, produces events in three locations: San Juan Capistrano, Del Mar and Las Vegas, NV. The events include 19 USEF “Premier” rated hunter-jumper shows featuring five FEI CSI events, including a Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League event; the Markel Insurance 1.40m – 1.45m Jumper Series & Final, Developing Jumper Qualifiers & Championships, USHJA International & National Hunter Derbies, Pony Derby Finals, the Whitethorne Equitation Challenge, Medal Finals and more. New for 2020 – an additional four County Horse Shows sanctioned by the Orange County Horse Show Association and the Greater San Diego Hunter-Jumper Association.