Thermal, Calif. – The conclusion of the $10,000 C3RV Welcome Speed came down to a hotly contested race against the clock before James Chawke and Billion Dollar Billy galloped away with the win on Wednesday, February 25.
James Chawke and Billion Dollar Billy. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
A field of 43 entries took on the opening class of Desert Circuit 8, presented by Adequan, at Desert International Horse Park. Chawke and his first mount, Nacara van Berkenbroeck Z were the 11th to jump, and they turned in a time of 62.450 seconds which would hold up as the one to beat until the final five riders to jump.
The notoriously fast duo of Mariano Alario and Cassamoon, owned by Everhart LLC, were the first to topple Chawke and “Nacara’s” leading time. Alario and the horse that currently leads the DIHP Speed League Standings sped through the finish in 62.260 seconds. Martien van der Hoeven and Fetiche du Lesme were the next pair in the ring, and they gave Alario quite a run for his money, finishing just 0.059 seconds behind on 62.319 seconds.
James Chawke and Billion Dollar Billy were presented as the winners of the $10,000 C3RV Welcome Speed. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
With his first ride, Nacara, then sitting in fourth place, Chawke came back as the final to jump ready to take back his spot atop the leaderboard.
“I thought my first one was very good, but actually when I came out, I knew the likes of Mariano would be able to catch me. I thought Amanda [Gomez] (who finished in fifth) might as well,” said Chawke. “I had the lead for a good while, but in the end, a couple of them got me, so this was my last attempt to get it back.”
With Billion Dollar Billy’s speed to his advantage, Chawke took the win with a time of 61.311 seconds. Alario and Cassamoon took home second, and van der Hoeven and Fetiche du Lesme rounded out the top three.
“He doesn’t have the biggest stride, but you can go quite fast,” said Chawke of the 8-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding, owned by Mandy Porter. “For sure I did more numbers than Mariano, but it’s just his faster foot speed.”
Billion Dollar Billy is usually ridden by Porter, but following an injury, she asked Chawke to temporarily step in.
James Chawke and Billion Dollar Billy. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“He’s small and fun and fast – and really careful,” said Chawke. “I think, as of now, I’ll jump him this week and next week.”
For full results of the $10,000 C3RV Welcome Speed, click here.
Competition at Desert International Horse Park continues through March 29 with Desert Circuit 8-10, followed by Spring Fling 1 & 2. To learn more, visit deserthorsepark.com/events.