Photo © ESI Photography
For Immediate Release:
THERMAL, Calif. – February 22, 2020 – Jeff Campf (USA) and his own Fugon flew to victory in the $7,500 Sapphire Tour Speed Stake, sponsored by Pink Skies Pajamas, with a time of 65.95 seconds. Joie Gatlin (USA) aboard High Five (Cardento 933 x Heartbreaker), owned by JGMA Meadows, was able to conquer the course in a time of 66.42 seconds to land them in second. Matt Archer (USA) and RHYS Farms, LLC’s Luigi vd Bisschop (Bamako de Muze x Nabab de Reve) were awarded third for their speed course time of 66.66 seconds.
Photo © ESI Photography
Nineteen pairs challenged the speed course with nine riders completing clear rounds. “When I see a course like today, what I am thrilled about is he [Fugon] is getting so much more education and crafty about getting off the jumps and staying in good balance,” Campf commented.
Campf has owned the 2010 Dutch Warmblood (Ultimo x Julius) for almost a year and is excited to see how the gelding progresses. “Ali Neilfurshion helped me find Fugon and I just fell in love with him when I saw him on the videos and when I rode him, I knew immediately, so I did something a little uncharacteristic and just bought him myself,” Campf shared.
“He has tons of scope and is a great character; he just keeps learning and trying,” Campf commented. “He’s so direct and simple to the fences and he’s always been fast because he’s so incredibly brave; he jumps like an event horse in terms of his courage.”
Campf and Fugon will return to the Grand Prix Stadium Sunday at 8AM for the $25,000 Sapphire Tour Classic, sponsored by Free x Rein. “We are just stepping up to 1.45m, but he’s ready, we are really excited to see what’s next,” Campf concluded.
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.