HUNTINGTON BEACH : 400 Riders Pony Up for Arts Center

With more than 400 entries, the city’s sixth annual equestrian event continues this weekend and is expected to be the largest yet.

Organizers hope to set a record by raising $125,000 for the city’s Art Center. Last year, the event raised about $100,000 from equestrian fees, sponsorships and VIP patrons, said Michael Mudd, city cultural services manager.

“It’s probably the premier event for any nonprofit organization, Mudd said. “For children and adults who have not been around horses, it’s very exciting to go out there and see that kind of competition. It’s very different from going to a ballgame or surf competition.”

A highlight of the event, which began Tuesday, is the high jump competition about 1 p.m. Sunday. Riders compete for a $15,000 purse by jumping a fence that starts at 4 feet, 6 inches and increases at 6-inch intervals. The highest jumper wins, and a $10,000 bonus will be awarded if a horse and rider break the California record of 7 feet, 2 inches.

Saturday’s main events begin at noon with a jumping competition and a music derby, where horse and rider teams perform to music.

Competition begins each day at 7:30 a.m.

The horse show grounds, at Huntington Central Park, next to the city’s equestrian center on Golden West Street, have been groomed to accommodate the event.

“It looks like Ascot in England with a touch of Huntington Beach,” said Diana Casey, vice chairwoman of the Art Center Foundation. Some VIP dining is still available for $75 and $125 and includes a continental breakfast.

General admission for GTE’s The Everything Pages Summer Classic VI is free to public.