Social Swirlers Leap at Attending Oaks Classic

Joan Irvine Smith was host of her fifth annual Oaks Classic on Sunday--a hot afternoon of fast horses leaping tall fences in an oak-shaded show ring at Smith’s San Juan Capistrano riding center.

The two-day event is one of the most prestigious show-jumping competitions on the West Coast, and with prize money totaling $75,000 and VIP accommodations, it brings out the local social swirlers.

Among those striding the ringside Astroturf in the shade of the VIP tent (hung with framed oil paintings in generic Impressionist style), were Lois and Buzz Aldrin, Jolene and Tom Fuentes, Dr. Robert H. Schuller and his son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Donna Schuller, Ardith and Howard Marguleas, June and Victor Andrews, and Donna and John Crean. Asked about her interest in horses, Donna Crean of Newport Beach said that while she wasn’t an equestrienne, her daughter once took a shine to the sport.

“Actually, we came here to eat,” Crean said between bites.

The lavishly laden buffets--each topped with huge floral decorations and cooled by giant fans--were enough of a reason to make the drive. To feed the masses--more than 1,000 people attended the event, including about 400 guests in the VIP tent Sunday--Cathee Hickok of Rococo catering hauled in 6,000 jumbo shrimp, 5,000 oysters, 3,000 clams, 400 pounds of crab claws, 400 pounds of lobster and 200 pounds of ceviche.

Smith spent most of the afternoon at a table in the shade with friends Monte Fisher, Jan and Bill Baker and Catherine Shattuck. Smith’s mother, Athalie Clarke, sat nearby chatting with ear specialist Dr. Howard House.