Week One Champions of $30,000 UlcerGard Grand Prix and $1,000 U25 Crowned

Kenneth Vinther and Long-time Partner Colicchio Claim Victory in $30,000 Grand Prix, Sponsored by UlcerGard

Photo © ESI Photography

Kenneth Vinther (Newbury Park, CA) and his own Colicchio raced to a swift time of 42.597 seconds, and were the only pair to finish clear in the jump-off. Katelyn Denby Edwards (Santa Monica, CA) and Kalina, owned by Mountain View West Farm LLC, had a quick time of 38.53 seconds but an unfortunate rail landed her in second place while Tracy Epp (Richmond, BC) and her own Camvel finished in third. 

The course, designed by Michael Vaillancourt (Aiken, SC), tested 39 pairs with only three returning for the jump-off. “I don’t remember if I have ridden Michael’s courses before but I really liked them,” Vinther commented. “Today it was funny because during the course walk, it walked very straightforward, nothing crazy, and then you saw the first riders go in and there was one rail after another and you had to wonder what is going on?” Vinther continued, “It is the sign of a good course designer that they can throw in these little, I don’t want to call it tricks, but they can play with the mind of the rider in that way.”

Vinther has owned Colicchio since he was a foal and even started him in his first season jumping as a seven-year-old. Colicchio, now a twelve-year-old stallion, and Vinther have formed a special bond. “He means a lot to me,” Vinther shared. “I got some very tempting offers for him [Colicchio] but I don’t think I could ever sell him. He has given me a lot, things you cannot buy, so I have a feeling he is going to stay forever.”

Zume Gallaher Cleans-Up in $1,000 U25 Jumper Classic, Sponsored by Harcour

Photo © ESI Photography

Zume Gallaher (Windsor, CA) had a successful day in the $1,000 U25 Jumper Classic claiming not only the blue ribbon on Blue Gate Stables, LLC’s Edita but also taking second aboard Certain VD Begijnakker. Gallaher is excited moving forward with Edita, who she has only had for under a year. Edita is Gallaher’s partner as she begins to move into the bigger classes. “I originally did Hunters, Equation, and Medals when I lived in Northern California, but then started doing jumpers when I moved to Southern California for college,” Gallaher shared. “My jumping career is really only just beginning, I am super excited for Sunday when I will be competing in my first 1.50m Grand Prix.” Gallaher concluded.

About the Desert International Horse Park
With about 1.3 million square feet of competition and riding space, the Desert International Horse Park is one of the largest equestrian facilities in North America. Offering 10 weeks of world-class competition, eight during the Desert Circuit from January – March and two during the Sunshine Series in November, the facility is a destination location for thousands of equestrians, their horses, family and friends for several months annually. Competitors from all over the world travel to Thermal, CA to not only compete but to enjoy everything the desert has to offer.

.