Photos © ESI Photography
For Immediate Release:
THERMAL, Calif. – February 22, 2020 – Emily Esau Williams (USA) and Dandy (Douglas x Heartbeaker) darted to first place in the $5,000 Ruby Tour Speed, sponsored by Ariat, with an unbeatable time of 56.98 seconds. Jeff Campf (USA) aboard Tender Star (Nintender x Rastell), owned by OZ Investments and Mark & Ellen Brown, finished in second with a time of 57.21 seconds, while Kaitlin Campbell (USA) was awarded third aboard Colada (Calido I x Zappelin), owned by Sweet Oak Farm, with a time of 58.6 seconds.
Twenty-four pairs tested the speed course designed by Alan Wade (IRL), with ten completing the course fault-free. “I thought the course was great,” Willaims commented. “Ali Nilforushan is coaching me and he said ‘go do that four [in the line], I want you want to do it,’” Williams shared of the advice she was given going into the class that she believes resulted in the win.
“He’s just fantastic, the best character, and always tries his heart out and I’m just having so much fun,” Williams shared of Dandy. “He is a great speed horse but he can step it right up too,” Williams noted. “Thursday he stepped up and jumped double clear in the 1.45m, it was our first 1.45m class together,” Williams continued, “it was fantastic. I was thrilled.”
Williams and the nine-year-old gelding, owned by HD Horses LLC, have only been paired together since November. “He’s just fantastic, the best character, and always tries his heart out and I’m just having so much fun,” Williams commented on her partner, “He’s very different from anything I’ve ever ridden; he has a lot of power and really wants to go.”
About 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 multiple weeks of world-class equestrian competition from October through March, 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.