Dalton and the 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding kicked off the class at Desert Circuit 1 with a first-round score off 88, and the pair only further cemented their victory with a score of 85 in round two for a 173 total score. Second place in the class, with an overall score of 171, went to Madison Wu aboard her own Barman des Ponts. Taking home third place were Katharine Reuter and Day Won with a score of 168.

Ella Dalton and Simply Irresistible. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

“I felt like the course rode really well,” said Dalton of the track set in Hunter 2 at the Desert International Horse Park. “I found a good jump to the first jump. [Simply Irresistible] likes going forward. If I find all the jumps on a nice rhythm, and then just help him off the ground a little bit, he’ll always jump a 10. He’s so perfect.”

Dalton has been partnered with Simply Irresistible – owned by Kate Parker and currently leased by Dalton Equestrian LLC – for the past six months, and she has meshed quickly with the gelding.

Now, the 11th grader who trains with Bridgeport Farms, has her sights set on concluding her junior career with a successful final year – and she is off to a good start. In addition to the Classic win, Dalton and Simply Irresistible – or “Romeo” as he is known in the barn – also earned the 3’6” Small Junior Hunter division championship.

Ella Dalton and Simply Irresistible. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

“I just want to stay consistent with [Simply Irresistible],” concluded Dalton. “He had a very successful junior career with [Kate Parker], and I’m so happy to be riding him now.”

To find complete results for the $2,500 3’6” Junior Hunter Classic, sponsored by Free Ride Equestrian, click here.

From January 2-5, DIHP hosted Desert Dressage II, with the event’s CDI-W Grand Prix Freestyle counting as the first of 23 US Equestrian Open of Dressage Qualifiers. Taking home the win in the Freestyle, sponsored by Adequan – and automatically moving to the top of the US Equestrian Open standings – were Geñay Vaughn and Gino.

Geñay Vaughn and Gino. Photo by Terri Miller Paintings & Photos

On their way to the win, Vaughn, of Elk Grove, CA, and the Dutch Warmblood gelding earned a personal best score for their freestyle of 75.150%. Second place with a score of 72.715% went to the USA’s Kristina Harrison-Antell and Finley.

“I’m just so happy with how he performed,” said Vaughn, 30. “It was really fun. I love our music, and I think he loves his freestyle too. It’s his favorite test.”

Saturday marked only the pair’s third time performing this particular freestyle, which they debuted last year, but it was one of nearly eight years’ worth of rides together for Vaughn and the now 14-year-old Gino.

“My mom purchased Gino when he was 6 years old,” explained Vaughn. “It’s been a journey getting to grow together and know each other. He’s an amazing, amazing horse, and I feel like each time we come out, we’re just getting more confident at this level and performing at the Big Tour. I’m really excited for what’s to come in the future.”

Vaughn continued, “I think it’s amazing that they’re doing [the US Equestrian Open]; it’s really exciting, and we’re definitely going to go for that.”

Geñay Vaughn and Gino were presented as the winners of the CDI-W Grand Prix Freestyle, sponsored by Adequan. Photo by Terri Miller Paintings & Photos

Just 24 hours prior to their Freestyle win, Vaughn and Gino had turned in their first Big Tour score of 70.000% or higher, topping the CDI-W Grand Prix, sponsored by Premier Equestrian, with a score of 71.283%. Second place again went to Harrison-Antell and Finley, this time with a score of 68.131%.

Taking home the Desert Dressage II High Score Awards were the following:

• High Score Young Rider, sponsored by PS of Sweden – Audrey Allen and Hugo Boss – 68.676%
• High Score Open, sponsored by PS of Sweden– Kristina Harrison-Antell and Quintessa RLF – 72.941%
• High Score Adult Amateur FEI, sponsored by Devoucoux – Linda Houweling and Senzation DC – 68.824%
• High Score Adult Amateur National, sponsored by Devoucoux – Julia Terrill and Fiorella N – 74.814%

For full results of Desert Dressage II, visit equestrian-hub.com. To learn more about all competitions at the Desert International Horse Park, visit deserthorsepark.com.

Come explore the Desert International Horse Park with a guided facility tour.

One of our favorite musical acts, Canyon Brothers Band, will provide the entertainment during the first night classes of the season. Come on out, grab a drink, and enjoy the tunes!

Join us for a Networking Happy Hour hosted by the EQ Businesswomen. Last year this event was a huge success with so many impressive businesswomen, so buy your ticket and come join us!

The bull is back! We had some serious fun last season with bull riding, so we’ll have TWO nights of bull riding, with night two being a competition of who can stay on the bull the longest.

Join us the first Thursday of the season for Trivia Thursdays! Enjoy some free apps while you work with teammates to take the top prize in the kick-off trivia event. Dacoda Miracle will be back as our famous host!

Come out for a costume contest and Halloween party to welcome the start of the season! All are welcome, nachos will be provided and drinks will be available for purchase.