Thermal, Calif. – Whether it is in the Grand Prix Stadium or on the Desert International Horse Park’s Grass Field, Patrick Billes knows he can count on Espartano LS to bring some serious speed. On Wednesday, March 11, at Desert Circuit 10, the gelding did just that, sprinting to the win in the $10,000 Line One Hair 1.35m Welcome Speed.
Billes and his 19-year-old Mexican Sport Horse were one of 39 entries to take on the course set on the Grass Field, and they laid down a clear time of 60.484 seconds that would prove uncatchable. Finishing in second place was Savannah Jenkins who rode Illusion de Nesque, owned by Ilan Ferder, to a time of 61.492 seconds. Third place on 62.111 seconds went to Kyle King and Mermoz DB, owned by Patricia Vasey.
“He’s just fast; he’s wicked fast, and he turns,” said Billes on his secret to success with “Rio.” “Right now, he’s at the top of his game. He’s 19, and he keeps getting better and better every show, every round. We rested the last couple of weeks. We actually went home to Washington and then back down again. I think the biggest he jumped [at home] was less than 1.0m.”
Billes continued, “He was game out there. He hasn’t been on the grass in a long time, but he went for it. The course was fantastic.”
While Billes was very pleased with Rio’s performance, he was also quick to point out how happy he was with his second entry, Chocolate Milk. The 11-year-old Westphalian gelding, owned by Billes, finished in fifth place with a clear time of 63.974 seconds.
“He used to be a runaway,” explained Billes. “People used to clear the ring. You’d get halfway through the course, and he was gone. Then you’re out there, two hands on one rein, trying to wheel him in, and there was no power of God that could bring him back. So, for him to go out and power around and push a little bit – he’s had some of his best rounds out here on the grass.”
To view all results from the $10,000 Line One Hair 1.35m Welcome Speed, click here.
Desert Circuit 10, presented by KASK & Vogel, continues through Sunday, March 15, and features the $225,000 KASK & Vogel CSI4* Grand Prix on Saturday evening, March 14. To learn more about all competition at Desert International Horse Park, visit deserthorsepark.com.