Thermal, Calif. – October 29, 2026 – Bryna Closson and Meteoric Rise produced the lone double-clear effort in Thursday, October 29’s $30,000 Marshall+Sterling 1.45m Open Classic, earning them the win in the Grand Prix Stadium at Desert International Horse Park.
Closson and her 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding were one of 42 entries to take on the Guilherme Jorge-designed course, and they were one of only three pairs to produce a fault-free first round. With no rails down in the jump-off, Closson and Meteoric Rise automatically rose to the top of the leaderboard for the National Sunshine Series 1 win.
Canada’s Laura Jane Tidball and MacGyver, owned by Attache Stables, took home second place with four faults in a time of 40.380 seconds. Fellow Canadian Samantha Darvill and her own Chic D Emma Z finished third with four faults in 44.617 seconds.
“I knew the time allowed was tight after watching the first couple, and so, my main objective was to make the time allowed,” said Closson. “That was kind of my main focus in the first round, but I think it was a good track for my horse.”
Closson has developed Meteoric Rise herself since purchasing the gelding sight unseen as a 5-year-old almost four years ago.
“Chris Fellers actually was in Europe and tried him and really liked him; I bought him off of a recommendation,” said Closson. “I produced him up through the levels myself, which I enjoy doing. He’s a very easy horse except for the first day at a horse show; he can be very up and a bit wild. He’s really just a good guy.”
Thursday’s win marked the horse’s first start since the Spruce Meadows Masters in September as Closson, who lives in Montana, keeps a lighter competition schedule than the vast majority of riders at her level.
“I don’t horse show nearly as much as most people. I’m a mom; I have three kids,” explained Closson, who will compete through the two weeks of National Sunshine Series before taking the remainder of the year off and not returning to the show ring until February or March of 2027. “I think it works well for this particular horse because he’s very brave. He can take some breaks and come out very brave. He jumps so well when he’s a bit fresh, so that program seems to be working with him.”
To view full results from the $30,000 Marshall+Sterling 1.45m Open Classic, click here.