Jamie Sailor and Jaguar Fighter Go. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

“Always when I go first in the order, I say in my head, ‘Go first, get first!’ That’s my little saying,” said Sailor. “Don’t hold back, put the pressure on everyone else that’s going to be behind me. There were 27 in the class, and I knew there were some fast riders behind me. I said, ‘I’ve got nothing to lose. It’s the last day of Spring Fling 2 and the whole Circuit, so let’s go for it, buddy!’ [Jaguar Fighter Go] was right there with me the whole way, and I’m super proud of that.”

With strides left out throughout the Steffen Bühling-designed course in the Grand Prix Stadium, Sailor and Jaguar Fighter Go set the time to beat at a quick 62.464 seconds. Throughout the remainder of the class, no one would come within even a second of that time. Coming the closest and taking second place with a time of 63.826 seconds were Simon Schroeder and NKH Cento Blue, owned by The Bridgeport Group LLC. Britt Scheifele and her own Querido van het Geinsteinde finished in third with a time of 63.928 seconds.

Jamie Sailor and Jaguar Fighter Go were presented as the winners of the $10,000 1.40m Open Speed Stake. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

“During the course walk, I definitely thought one more stride than I ended up doing throughout basically the entire course,” said Sailor. “As he started to relax and open up the canter, we did one less over to the double, one or two less over to the oxer, two less over to the vertical…and then the rollback I was quite tidy, and he really trusted me there. It was a little bold. Then I said, ‘Okay, we got one less to the last!’ He’s quite fast so it’s fun to feel. Even though he’s a big horse, I can trust his foot speed, and we won today by leaving out a lot of strides.”

Jamie Sailor and Jaguar Fighter Go. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Sailor has only been partnered with Jaguar Fighter Go, owned by Arturo Parada Vallejo, for a few weeks, but she has already thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding.

“He’s a big guy, but he’s a bit sensitive. So, I have been trying to find the right amount of tension that he wants on the rein contact and the right leg pressure,” explained Sailor. “I’m just trying to be a little bit more delicate. It’s been fun getting to know him and where he wants to be placed at the jump.”

Simon Schroeder and NKH Cento Blue finished in second place. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Sailor concluded, “I don’t what the future really holds for us, but we’ll see! I’m happy with the whole circuit here. It’s been an amazing circuit, this week in particular. All the clients rode well. It’s always so much fun in the desert. It’s beautiful weather today. I couldn’t ask for more!”

To view full results from the $10,000 1.40m Open Speed Stake, click here.

Justin Prather and Grazie. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Utilizing the unique gambler’s choice format, riders had 60 seconds to accumulate as many points as possible by jumping fences assigned point values ranging from 20 to 120. With riders picking their own paths around the Grand Prix Stadium, the class rewarded both strategy and speed – and a bit of risk-taking as well. At the conclusion of the 60 seconds, riders had to make the choice whether to jump the “joker” fence, the highest fence on course which would either add or subtract 200 points from their score.

“Walking the course, there were a lot of people doing like very deep analysis. We could have been on Wall Street!” said Prather in discussing his course strategy. “I had a rough idea of what I wanted to do, and I got to watch a little bit and just kind of kept revising.”

Justin Prather and Grazie. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Part of Prather’s approach was opening his round with a move that no one else attempted: an impressive slice from one high-value fence immediately to another. That move, coupled with quick riding throughout and a successfully cleared joker fence, clinched Prather and Grazie the win with a score of 1370.

“I knew I had those first two jumps kind of in my back pocket as a bit of a slick move that I could pull off. I just kind of rode off the vibes!” said Prather. “I like this kind of stuff, and Grazie’s always game to come play with me for this kind of thing.”

Justin Prather and Grazie were presented as the winners of the $10,000 Spotlight 29 Casino Gambler’s Choice. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Finishing in second place with 1300 points were Carla Diewert and her own Cogito. Third place with 1250 points went to Sarah Almasri and Starboy, owned by Morad Almasri. With time as the tiebreaker, Jordan Gilchrist on Duchesse Z and Mackenzie Hudson on Ekyra Fortuna also finished on 1250 points each to take fourth and fifth, respectively.

Of his 12-year-old winning mount, owned by Bradon Equestrian LTD, Prather said, “She’s a rocket! I got her around this time in her 9-year-old year. It was a little bit rocky getting started. I actually never tried the horse. I bought it off of a video. Then two summers ago, and really last winter down here, we kind of dialed in the routine and the plan. We stopped trying to be greedy and jump bigger and just left her where she’s a winner – 1.30m, 1.35m, a little 1.40m.”

Second place went to Carla Diewert and Cogito. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Another area where Grazie excels is in the victory gallop, and the mare and Prather led an exceptionally speeding one on Saturday night.

“It’s double exciting to win on this horse because she loves to win probably more than I do, and she lives for the victory gallop,” said Prather. “That’s we try and win, to give her the victory gallop, and then I just set her free. It has come up a few times that I tend to overdue a victory gallop, but whatever, it’s fun. It’s her signature move!”

To view complete results from the $10,000 Spotlight 29 Casino 1.10–1.15m Gambler’s Choice, click here.

Quintero and the 9-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding topped a field of 27 entries to take home victory in the $10,000 Valencia Sport Saddlery USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby – Open.

Lise Quintero and Songbird. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Maja Lindemann designed the course for the two-phase class in the Main Hunter Ring, and Quintero took advantage of the track’s various options and inside turns to really show off Songbird’s strengths. The pair’s scores reflected that, with a 90 and 88 giving them a 178 winning total.

“It was a fluid course,” said Quintero. “It showed lengthening of stride; it showed options, which is nice. I like when the winner can do a little pizazz or show a little spark.”

Lise Quintero and Songbird. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Second place with an overall score of 175 (89+86) went to Paige Dendiu and Vatikan, owned by Karin Binz. Cassie Frost and Casino, owned by Summit Farm, rounded out the top three on a score of 174.75 (88+86.75).

“[Songbird] was super, so it was a lot of fun,” said Quintero, who just began riding the gelding for owner Rose Hill Farm LA earlier this DIHP season. “The first couple of weeks, it was a little bit of figuring him out in the smaller rings, and then I was like, ‘Let’s keep going!’”

Lise Quintero and Songbird. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Quintero and Songbird did indeed keep going, advancing to the derby ring and now having successfully contested two USHJA national hunter derby classes.

“[Songbird] is very shy of other horses, but as a competitor, he concentrates,” said Quintero. “He’s always learning. He’s very confident to me; his jump is confident.”

In addition to Songbird, Quintero has taken on the ride on a number of horses for Rose Hill Farm LA and trainers Shari Rose and Rainie Rose, and while their current working relationship is relatively new, it is not the first time that Quintero has ridden with Shari Rose.

“[Shari Rose] is my childhood trainer from when I was 8 years old!” said Quintero. “I rode with [Shari] for I think almost five years as a kid…It’s fun that it is all one big family, and Songbird is a family horse. He’s trained by the grandmother, [Shari Rose], and he’s also ridden by the granddaughter, [Bailey Rose].”

For complete results from the $10,000 Valencia Sport Saddlery USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby – Open, click here, and to learn more about all competition at Desert International Horse Park, visit deserthorsepark.com.

Course designer Steffen Bühling set a challenging track for the Desert Spring Fling 2 featured class, with five out of 45 entries ultimately producing clear rounds to advance to the jump-off. From there, speed was the name of the game.

Michelle Parker and Vivalunaika Blue. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Kyle King and his highly accomplished mount, Kayenne Z, were the first to return for the short course, and they threw down the gauntlet with a time of 38.413 seconds. Two trips later, Camilo Rueda and Indus van het Keysereyck looked like they may overtake King’s time, but they crossed the final oxer just 0.042 seconds off the leading mark with a time of 38.455 seconds.

Michelle Parker and Vivalunaika Blue were presented as the winners of the $75,000 Platinum Performance Grand Prix. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Parker and her veteran partner, Vivalunaika Blue, were the final pair to jump, and they cruised over the final U.S. Equestrian fence in 38.304 seconds to narrowly clinch the win. King and Kayenne Z held on to second place, and Rueda and Indus van het Keysereyck rounded out the top three. Finishing in fourth with a double-clear jump-off effort were Mariano Maggi and Quantico 23, and Ian McFarlane and Madagaskar took home fifth place with just one fence down over the short course.

Kyle King and Kayenne Z took home second place. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

“We took probably two or three more steps than Kyle and still managed to catch him so that was unexpected!” said Parker. “When I finished, I was super happy; I felt really fast, but I didn’t think I had it honestly.”

Parker continued, “[Vivalunaika Blue] really goes quick over the jumps. So, fortunately, I guess we were able to make up the difference because she’s more of a skimmer. [Kayenne Z] has all that scope and jump, and Vivalunaika Blue’s a little quicker in the air.”

Third place went to Camilo Rueda and Indus van het Keysereyck. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Parker has had the ride on the 12-year-old Oldenburg mare, owned by Cross Creek Farms, Inc., for the past three years, and in that time, Vivalunaika Blue has repeatedly proven to be a top grand prix contender for Parker.

“I got her on a strange horse deal, a trade right after I had broken my leg,” explained Parker. “If I’d gone out shopping for a horse for myself, I wouldn’t have chosen her, but she has actually been one of my most consistent horses that I’ve had, so it worked out for the best!”

Michelle Parker and Vivalunaika Blue. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

To view complete results from the $75,000 Platinum Performance Grand Prix, click here.

Sunday, March 29, marks the conclusion of competition at Desert International Horse Park for the 2025-2026 season, with the 2026-2027 season returning in October 2026. To learn more, visit deserthorsepark.com.

Ali Ramsay and Domina VH Scheefkasteel Z. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Going two-for-two in the Thursday morning featured class at Desert Spring Fling is particularly impressive given that Ramsay and “Dory’s” win during Desert Spring Fling 1 was also their debut at the 1.40m height. Ramsay just began riding the 10-year-old Zangersheide mare a few weeks ago, after Dory’s owner – and fellow Canadian rider – Jaclyn Duff sustained an injury. In the short time since then, Ramsay and Dory have meshed quickly, as was evident by their winning round at Desert Spring Fling 2.

“If it’s possible, she felt even better when I warmed her up today,” said Ramsay. “I think we’re really starting to get to know each other. I can’t say enough good things about this horse, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to get to show her.”

Bradley Bowns of DIHP presented Ali Ramsay and Domina VH Scheefkasteel Z as the winners of the $15,000 Champion Shavings 1.40m Open Classic. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

The duo was one of 33 entries to take on the track set in the Grand Prix Stadium by course designer Steffen Bühling, and following the immediate jump-off format, they quickly took over the top of the leaderboard with a time of 33.416 seconds. While 10 additional entries also qualified for the short course, none would catch Ramsay’s time.

Finishing in a close second place with a time of 33.700 seconds were Alyce Bittar and her own Cezanne B. Third place on 34.175 seconds went to James Chawke and Rananka-A, owned by Britt Scheifele.

“I thought this jump-off really suited her because it was pretty twisty-turny with chances to get inside,” said Ramsay. “[Dory is] so fast. She’s so competitive. I can kind of trust her to be game for anything.”

Second place went to Alyce Bittar and her own Cezanne B. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

In addition to their two, back-to-back 1.40m wins, Ramsay and Domina VH Scheefkasteel Z also finished in a very close second place in Desert Spring Fling 1’s $75,000 C3RV Grand Prix. Now, Ramsay will be looking to only better that performance in Friday, March 27’s $75,000 Platinum Performance Grand Prix.

“I felt the pressure was on because, to try to top last week, we’re going to have to win both classes this week. So, at least we’ve started it off the proper way!” said Ramsay.

For complete results from the $15,000 Champion Shavings 1.40m Open Classic, click here.

James Chawke and Kazelli VDL. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

“That was actually the first time I’ve ever shown the horse,” said Chawke of Kazelli VDL. “I’m just jumping it in a couple of classes for Conor [Swail] [and owner Chandler Meadows]. I thought the course all came up nicely and rode well. There were nice inside turns, and you could kind of do one less in a bunch of the lines.”

As the 26th of 39 entries to take on Wednesday morning’s speed track, Chawke took advantage of the inside turns and leave-outs to take over the lead in a time of 55.507 seconds. The notably fast rider made it look easy, as though he and Kazelli VDL had been partnered far longer than their first ride together just a day prior. That was, at least, until the final fence on course.

James Chawke was presented as the winner of the $7,500 Horseflight 1.30m Welcome Speed. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

“We parted ways, but thankfully it was after the timers!” said Chawke. “When she came to the last, she twisted a wee bit, and I lost my stirrup. Then I realized we were parting ways, so I held on until after the timers and tried to fall off gracefully.”

With Chawke successfully hanging on through the finish, he and the 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare secured the win. Second place with a time of 55.993 seconds went to Justin Prather and Grazie, owned by Bradon Equestrian LTD. Tammy Chipko finished in third place with a time of 56.492 seconds aboard her own Hesmee.

Second place went to Justin Prather and Grazie. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

For complete results of the $7,500 Horseflight 1.30m Welcome Speed, click here.

Competition at Desert Spring Fling 2 – the final week of the 2025-2026 Desert International Horse Park season – continues through Sunday, with highlights including Friday night’s $75,000 Platinum Performance Grand Prix. To learn more and to view a complete schedule, visit deserthorsepark.com.

James Chawke and Rananka-A. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Course designer Chris Jones set the morning’s speed track in the Grand Prix Stadium, where Scheifele soon laid down what would become Chawke’s time to beat. After already winning earlier in the week, Scheifele and her own Phaedra Dor, crossed the finish line in 74.122 seconds.

A few trips later, however, Chawke made short work of Scheifele’s time, blazing through the timers in 70.075 seconds for the win. While Chawke’s time relegated Scheifele to second place, Chawke’s win was also a win for Scheifele, as she purchased his winning mount, Rananka-A, at the end of 2025.

Britt Scheifele on Phaedra Dor (left) and James Chawke and Rananka-A (right). Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

“This is a new one that we just bought for Britt,” said Chawke of the 9-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare. “She’s really nice. I’ve jumped her a few weeks, and then Britt jumped her a week. Just to give her a bit more experience and a bit more mileage, I jumped her again this week. She’s a simple and really sweet horse.”

Chawke continued, “There were a lot of mistakes [from others] today…The shadows obviously play a big part [in early morning classes]. Even for [Rananka-A], she’s not used to all the shadows. Definitely you could tell the difference jumping into the sun versus the other way, so I think that’s why you saw a few.”

Britt Scheifele and Phaedra Dor finished in second. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Finishing in third place behind Chawke and Scheifele was Cassie Frost who piloted Blueprint NBS, owned by Summit Farm, to a time of 74.795 seconds. Fourth place with a time of 75.938 seconds went to Justin Prather and Mulan BF, owned by Bradon Equestrian LTD. For all results from the $10,000 1.40m Open Speed Stake, click here.

James Chawke and Rananka-A. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

The all-new Desert Spring Fling horse shows offer two back-to-back weeks of National Hunter and Level 5 Jumper competition, continuing through March 29. To learn more and to view a complete schedule of class offerings, click here.

As one of the featured events of Desert Spring Fling 1, the class drew 39 entries to contest a Chris Jones-designed track under the lights of the Grand Prix Stadium. Of those 39 horses, five advanced to the jump-off round, where the time to beat got increasingly faster.

Camilo Rueda and Chocoprince of Picobello Z. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

When Rueda and Chocoprince of Picobello Z returned to the ring, Ali Ramsay and Domina VH Scheefkasteel Z had just taken over the lead with a time of 37.556 seconds. Rueda, however, had a good sense of what he needed to do to get the win.

“In the beginning, I wasn’t planning to turn inside to the last one, but I saw that the previous riders did it,” said Rueda. “My plan actually was trying to do a leave out for the last line and just going around so I could be a little bit quicker, but I thought if everyone was doing [the inside turn], I had to take a shot! It paid off. I didn’t end up needing the leave out for the last line, so it was a little bit the luck of being the second to last [rider to jump].”

Camilo Rueda and Chocoprince of Picobello Z were presented as the winners of the $75,000 C3RV Grand Prix. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

With the same inside turn taken as Ramsay, Rueda shaved off just enough time – 0.104 seconds – to ultimately take the win with a time of 37.452 seconds. Ramsay and Domina VH Scheefkasteel Z, owned by Windermere Stables LTD, maintained second place, and Kassidy Keith and her own Havana took home third on 38.939 seconds.

“Over the fences, he’s just a solid, brave horse,” said Rueda of the 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding, owned by Picobello Horses. “Today, I was really happy with it being his first time under the lights. He showed me that he’s ready for this type of class, so I was pretty happy. I’m really happy to have such a strong team behind me that makes this possible.”

Ali Ramsay and Domina VH Scheefkasteel Z finished in second place. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Rueda acquired Chocoprince of Picobello Z in the summer of 2025, and lately, he has been focused largely on rideability with the gelding.

“[When I first got him], I feel that I did a couple of big things with him without knowing him that well,” said Rueda. “I think I was a little bit too hard with him. When I figured him out, I decided to put him in a little bit just the smaller classes, and for sure it’s paying off. He’s a really big, tall horse. He has such a big stride. I just need to create a little bit better connection between my leg and the hand. Sometimes, I still feel that I lose him in the turns, so I’ve been like really working on his rideability.”

Third place went to Kassidy Keith and Havana. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Rueda will next point Chocoprince of Picobello Z at Desert Spring Fling 2’s $75,000 Platinum Performance Grand Prix. The all-new Desert Spring Fling horse shows offer two back-to-back weeks of National Hunter and Level 5 Jumper competition, continuing through March 29. To learn more and to view a complete schedule of class offerings, click here.

For all results from the $75,000 C3RV Grand Prix, click here.

Josephine Bumgardner and Rosehaven Gummy Bear. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Bumgardner and her 11-year-old roan Welsh Pony earned the win with a score of 154.5 over the one-round, two-phase course at Desert International Horse Park. Finishing in a very close second place with a score of 154 was Amelia van der Werf and her own Hat Trick. Rounding out the top three with a score of 151 was Iva Owens aboard Wheels Up, owned by Riley Conant.

“I’ve had [Gummy Bear] since I was 7, and we got him when he was 5,” said Bumgardner of the pony, owned by Kingsbury Lane Farm. “We’ve been to Pony Finals once, and he was really good. He’s really fancy, so it’s always fun to hack him. He’s just really fun to ride.”

Josephine Bumgardner and Rosehaven Gummy Bear. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

In speaking of Friday’s derby course, Bumgardner continued, “It was really fun. I’m kind of glad there wasn’t a trot jump because those kind of scare me sometimes! Gummy Bear was really good, and he jumped everything so well. He’s a really good jumper, so it was really fun.”

When they are not jumping, Bumgardner – who hails from Hailey, Idaho – can also be found at home working hard on her flatwork.

“I do dressage at home, so I work on shape and stuff,” explained Bumgardner. “We mostly stay on a circle, and then we do leg yields and turn on the haunches and turn on the forehand.”

Josephine Bumgardner and Rosehaven Gummy Bear. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

For full results from the $1,500 USHA Pony Hunt & Go Derby, click here, and to learn more about all competition at Desert International Horse Park, visit deserthorsepark.com.

Mia Campf and In The End. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Scores of 88.5 and 92 for a 180.5 total earned the pair the victory, while second place with an overall score of 178.75 (90.5+88.25) went to Aedan Mooney and Nuance, owned by Brannon Loomis Mooney. Jordan Gilchrist and Point Luck, owned by Deana Crawford, finished in third with a score of 175.75.

“When I started riding [In The End] last year, we were just starting in the 3’,” said Campf of the young horse, owned by Lynn Olson. “The fact that he’s jumping around the 3’6” and doing classes like this and excelling is amazing. We’re very, very proud of him!”

Mia Campf and In The End. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Campf continued, “We changed his prep a little bit this week. We usually do the division classes; usually he does the conformation hunters first, and then we do a derby or a special class. He’s been so good all circuit that we were like, ‘Let’s just see if he can come out and do just the derby and not do another class prior to it.’ He excelled. He was spectacular. We couldn’t ask anything more of him. I think the future for this horse is very, very exciting, and I’m excited to see what he does next.”

The all-new Desert Spring Fling horse shows offer two back-to-back weeks of National Hunter and Level 5 Jumper competition, continuing through March 29. To learn more and to view a complete schedule of class offerings, click here.

Mia Campf and In The End. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

To find full results from the $10,000 Purina USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby – Open, click here.