Delaney Batter & Evolinus Shine in $25,000 Sapphire Tour Classic, sponsored by Free x Rein

Photos © ESI Photography

For Immediate Release:

THERMAL, Calif. – February 23, 2020 – Delaney Batter (USA) and her own Evolinus made their FEI debut this week and emerged victorious in the $25,000 Sapphire Tour Classic, sponsored by Free x Rein, by winning the class and being the only rider to complete the short-course fault-free. Jeff Campf (USA) and Fugon (Ultimo x Julius) were awarded second place for their jump-off time of 39.82 seconds, but had an unfortunate rail. Taylor Chaubard (USA) and Evidence (Cornet Obolensky x Patent) finished off the podium receiving the third-place ribbon.

Photos © ESI Photography

Twenty-nine riders challenged the Sapphire Tour Classic CSI3* course designed by Alan Wade (IRL), with only three riders returning to the jump-off. “Today’s course was definitely tough,” Batter commented, “it was a bit intimidating walking out here, but my horse was super!”

“This was my first week doing FEI,” shared Batter, the seventeen-year-old rider from California. “I think riding against this caliber of riders really makes you step-up, just knowing the field, there are so many talented riders and they’re so fast, so you really want to do your best.”

“I just came in wanting to ride a nice rhythm, keep the same pace throughout [the course] and have a nice, clear round was basically the goal for today,” Batter shared of her goal entering the class with the 2009 Dutch Warmblood. “I’m really happy with how it turned out,” Batter 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.