A Big Return for Jenny Karazissis and Big Shot in Desert Circuit VI’s Performance Hunter 3’6” Division

by | Mar 4, 2021 | Hunters, Press Release | 0 comments

Photo © ESI Photography

For Immediate Release:

THERMAL, Calif. – March 4, 2021 – Jenny Karazissis and Big Shot, owned by Dulcie Lou Morris, enjoyed a big return in the show ring, earning the division Championship in Desert Circuit VI’s Performance Hunter 3’6”, sponsored by Brookway Stables. The pair experienced a successful two days, claiming a sixth and first place on Wednesday and a third and two first places on Thursday. Receiving the Reserve Champion in the division was Nicole Bourgeois and Hilary Sosne’s Wayfinder.

This week’s division marked Big Shot’s return to the 3’6” fence height after some time off. “It’s been a lovely journey. I adore that horse; I can’t tell you how happy I am that he is showing again. He had a bit of a break due to a mystery illness,” revealed Karazissis. “I showed him here Week IV and he won the very first two classes at the 3’3” height. We took him home for a couple of weeks off and now he’s back. I’m doing the 3’6” Performance Hunter division with him.”

Karazissis and Dude, as he is affectionately known in the barn, have a special bond that extends beyond the show arena. “The horse is just phenomenal. He is a treasure. I am so grateful to ride him. The owners are lovely too and it’s made such an incredible journey with this horse. He’s been nothing but successful and I feel so lucky to ride him,” Karazissis shared. 

Photo © ESI Photography

Karazissis credits her Championship to her husband, Kost Karazissis: “Kost took him on a trail ride yesterday and today and gave him a little bit of a pep talk. I couldn’t do it without him on the ground helping me.”

For the rest of this week, Karazissis will ride Dude in the $10,000 Nations Cup Hunter Team Challenge. “I’m also quite excited for the $10,000 Nations Cup Hunter Team Challenge tomorrow. I am going to ride him [Big Shot] in that. That wasn’t part of the plan, but when I found out about the class, I definitely wanted to support it. I’m super excited about my team; I have Skyler Wireman and Noah Nelson riding with me,” commented Karazissis. 

Past this week, Karazissis’ plan is to “bring him back to peak for the $100,0000 WCHR West Coast Hunter Spectacular during Week VIII.” Karazissis noted, “It has been a goal of mine to hope this could take place, and so far everything is going according to plan. I’m very excited.”

 

About the 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.