KAITLIN CAMPBELL ABOARD PALINA DE L’ESCAUT ZOOM INTO FIRST PLACE IN THE $200,000 GO RENTALS GRAND PRIX
For Immediate Release:
Photo © ESI Photography
THERMAL, Calif. -January 26, 2020- Kaitlin Campbell (San Marcos, CA) aboard Palina de L’escaut (Perigueux x Gardeulan) zoomed into first place in the $200,000 Go Rentals Grand Prix at the Desert International Horse Park, stopping the jump-off timers at 39.426 seconds. Lisa Carlsen (Okotoks, AB) rode Livestream 2 (Lordanos x Landadel), owned by Attache Stables, to a second place finish with a short-course time of 41.22 seconds while Nicole Haunert (Encintas, CA) and Cherokee Show Horses Inc’s Calgary IV (Casall x Calato) finished third, with a jump-off time of 44.366 seconds and an unfortunate rail.
Course Designer Alan Wade had 26 pairs challenge the Grand Prix course. Carlsen had the early lead in the jump-off and was the only rider to finish clear until Campbell, who was the final rider to contest the course. “Usually, I just like to try and run as fast as possible but today I knew I had to ride a little smarter because this mare is so fast on her own,” Campbell shared of her strategy entering the jump-off. “I knew Palina de L’Escaut was naturally faster, so I just had to make sure when I went in that I didn’t do anything to risk having a rail down.”
Photo © ESI Photography
“Alan Wade is my favorite course designer, he has designed about 90 percent of the Grand Prixs I have won, so every time he is building I go out there and try to win,” Campbell shared. “He always builds amazing courses with rails always falling in different places and the horses don’t jump scared, he just makes them jump better and better.”
The rider who works for SWS Training and Sales in Temecula, California, is planning to remain at the Desert International Horse Park for the remainder of the Desert Circuit. “We will alternate horses back and forth between here and Temecula but we will definitely be here for Week VIII for the Invitational.” Campbell also shared that she hopes Hanoverian mare, who is for sale, is still a part of her string come Week VIII: “I would love to keep her until then but she has been getting some great results so she could have some interest now.”
WEEK II HUNTER CHAMPION SPOTLIGHT
Adult Hunter 18-35 Classic, sponsored by El Paseo Jewelry
Mrs. Stephanie Gillen Linnenkamp & Cavalier
A-O Hunter 36 & Over 3’3” Divisions, sponsored by Horse Hair Analysis
Irene Neuwirth & Twinkle Toes
Child/Adult Hunter Derby 2’/2’3″
Annita Geng & Elementary
Children’s Hunter Pony
Trinity Hall & Templeton
Small Junior Hunter 16-17 3’6″, sponsored by CALLIDAE
Juliette Joseph & Philadelphia Story
Green Hunter 3’9” Division, sponsored by R.J. Classics
Shelley Campf & Per Se
WEEK II JUMPER CHAMPION SPOTLIGHT
.75m Jumper Classic
Bella Chen & Stormy
.95m Jumper Classic
Jordyn Isom-Mclewee & Nash du Centenaire
AM/A-O Jumper Classic 1.20m, sponsored by KASK
Marnye Langer & LEGIS Air
JR/AM/A-O Jumper Classic 1.30m, sponsored by Tucci
Katie Kehring & Mr. Miracle Man
JR/A-O/AM Jumper Classic 1.35, sponsored by VitaFlex
Stella Wasserman & Canberra
Welcome Speed 1.35m, sponsored by SmartPak
Nicholas Dello Joio & Columbcille de Reve
About the Desert International Horse Park
With nearly 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.