Potter and Kalimera van de Nethe Z were first connected approximately eight months ago, and in the time since then, they have built a trusting partnership – and proven to be a highly difficult duo to beat.

Keri Potter and Kalimera van de Nethe Z. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

On their way to Wednesday’s win at Desert Circuit 9, presented by Marshall + Sterling, Potter and “Mira,” first had to best a 57-horse field and a challenging time to beat set at 58.905 seconds by Camilo Rueda and My Boy Blue, owned by Silver Stables LLC. Rueda’s time had held up for nearly half the class – at least until Potter and Mira entered the Grand Prix Arena. That is when Potter and Kalimera van de Nethe Z made it look easy, stopping the clock in a winning 57.759 seconds.

Rueda would ultimately take home second place, and Kyle King and Mini Kelly, owned by KMBC Equestrian, finished in third place with a time of 59.342 seconds.

“This was her first class back since the CSI3*, and since that was her biggest class yet, I thought I would take a bit of the pressure off this week and just let her have a nice week with a couple small rounds,” said Potter, referencing her first CSI3* competition with and Kalimera van de Nethe Z on February 22, which they also won.

Keri Potter and Kalimera van de Nethe Z. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

“She has one speed; she likes to go fast,” continued Potter. “She feels comfortable at that speed and less anxious. She really enjoys her job going the fastest speed that she can, so I just let her go where she’s comfortable. I just kind of picked up the canter. I was not going out expecting to necessarily win, but I knew that even at the slowest she goes, she’s still very fast. So, I just wanted it to be a really nice comfortable class for her, and it seemed to do that for me!”

Potter plans to continue to compete the 10-year-old Zangersheide mare, owned by Karl Cook, in one or two additional national competitions at Desert Circuit 9 before stepping the mare back up to FEI competition during Desert Circuit 10.

Second place went to Camilo Rueda and My Boy Blue. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

While Potter and Mira seem to have no problem winning consistently at Desert Circuit, it was not immediately that way. Potter had to slowly build a relationship with the mare, paying attention to the horse’s eccentricities, which she now says are part of what makes Kalimera van de Nethe Z happy and successful.

“[If she were a human], she would probably be like Einstein – very exotically strange but extremely talented and smart – just a little off in some ways but so talented that she shines!” concluded Potter.

To view complete results of the $10,000 Barnwalkers 1.35m Welcome Speed, click here.

For Vasan, victory meant besting a 33-horse field and a 16-horse jump-off, but the 13-year-old made it look easy. She and Secret Fernhill stopped the clock in 34.317 seconds to take the win by a margin of nearly two seconds. Second place on a time of 36.302 seconds went to Amandine Lane and Ivory, and finishing in third were Sienna Smith and Conova with a time of 36.873 seconds.

“I really like to win; I like to try!” said Vasan in discussing her jump-off plan. “I always take an inside track. I think jumpers is a lot about where you can save time on track, not as much about how fast you go. I knew there were some inside turns that I wanted to take in order to lose some time. He likes to turn, so it’s like a really good match!”

In speaking of the 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding that she has been partnered with for the past year, Vasan continued, “He likes to go. He likes to win. He likes to jump and turn. He’s like a little a motorcycle. That’s what I like to call him.”

In the amateur section, Staehle calls her winning horse, Foxtrot Semilly, by a very similar nickname.

“We like to call him, The pocket rocket,’ and the grooms call him chapulín, which means grasshopper,” said Staehle of her 12-year-old Selle Francais gelding. “He’s just a real thinking horse. He looks for the jump just as much as I do. So, if we are in a jump-off, the thing to do is stay calm, ride the ride and let him keep his pace and he’ll turn on the speed.”

Foxtrot Semilly certainly turned on the speed on Sunday, stopping the jump-off clock in 36.308 for the win. Riding away with a close second place were Canada’s Jeff Rootman and The Best of Dancer, who finished the short course in 36.752 seconds. Third place with a time of 36.821 seconds went to Tanya Jarvis and Zirkana Adeleheid Z.

To view full results from both classes, head to dihp.showgroundslive.com.

After round one, Taylor’s score of 89 put her in third, and Dustin Goodwin had the pole position with Repuration, owned by Kalli Heffner Gay. The two were separated by Sarah Moberg and Caramba, owned by Alice Li. But after the handy round, the results were shaken up. Though they all stayed in the top three, Taylor propelled to the top with a handy round score of 94. Goodwin claimed second, while Moberg was third.

Jamie Taylor and Balko D’Elle. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

“In the handy, I was the only one to do a bit of an awkward jump to the trot jump, and I did it with both horses,” Taylor explained of what her strategy was to set herself apart. “But with [Balko], he nails it every time, so I was able to take a risk there and it seemed to pay off. He’s a blast and a half to ride and I’m so thankful that I got the opportunity this week.”

Taylor isn’t the usual rider for Balko, a 13-year-old Selle Francais gelding by Diamant de Semilly. “Balko D’Elle is a horse I have with a client,” Taylor, of Las Vegas, NV, explained. “A good friend of mine owns him and my client leases him. He does primarily the equitation but he has been very successful in the past in the derbies so we let him have fun sometimes. This week Allyn Marie tweaked her knee and let me borrow Balko, and we had a great time winning today.”

Jamie Taylor and Balko D’Elle in their winning presentation, pictured with Ecole Lathrop on behalf of Vogel. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

The horse has plenty of qualities that make him the ultimate hunter, and Taylor recognizes he’s one of the most special horses at the show.

“Balko is really fun to ride. He’s intuitive and he sort of reads your mind,” she shared. “He’s best with his kid, he reads her the most, but he tolerates me just fine. He’s super scopey and a beautiful type. His rhythm never changes, his jump is always the same, and you can’t help but love watching him.”

Later Friday, it was time for the juniors and amateurs to have their turn in the derby ring, and it was Lauren Kolbe who took top call in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby – Jr/Am, sponsored by Brown Advisory, aboard Jetstream, owned by Karina Winkler. Despite their seamless bond in the ring, their partnership is still brand new, and Kolbe was navigating new territory bringing Jetstream into the ring.

Lauren Kolbe and Jetstream. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

“This is my first time showing him today,” she said of the 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by For Pleasure. “His owner Karina Winkler was so generous to let me ride him; he’s the best. I rode him for the first time last year. I have gotten to ride him once in a while, maybe less than 10 times this past year. He’s just a joy to ride. He has such a good attitude and always has his ears forward. He’s like a Golden Retriever.”

The duo jumped their way to the second position after round one, so Kolbe had to be bold to try to go after the win and unseat leader Michelle Berry with Caprio 33, owned by Professional Maintenance Systems. Kolbe’s handy round score of 92 was just enough to take the win, and Berry took second. Jaime Krupnick took third with Conux.

Lauren Kolbe and Jetstream. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

“My strategy was to look as effortless as possible while trying to do all the inside turns, maintaining a good forward rhythm and he was perfect,” Kolbe continued of her round with Jetstream. “He just stepped around and didn’t care about anything. He gave me so much confidence. I haven’t been in the show ring in a little while so that was helpful.”

Though Kolbe is a regular in all rings at DIHP, this Desert Circuit will look slightly different for her, as she is halfway through her first year as a freshman at UC Davis, where she rides for the team and plans to pursue Political Science and Film majors.

“I’ve been super lucky to do most weeks in the past few years but this year with school this might be my only week here,” Kolbe explained. “Hopefully I can come watch for a few weeks. I love it out here so it will be hard to stay away.”

She made her short time in the ring count, hoping she can return to the desert as the circuit continues.

Savannah Jenkins Speeds to Win in $5,000 Interactive Mortgage 10 & Under Futurity Series

Savannah Jenkins has a new pocket rocket in her string, and she’s already winning despite just acquiring the horse in December. Aboard Forastero 2, she topped the $5,000 Interactive Mortgage 10 & Under Futurity Series 1.35m, proving the up-and-coming horse is going to be a top one.
“He’s new this is our first week showing him,” she said of the 9-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Stakkato x Nabab de Reve). “He’s owned by E2 Show Stables and I got him right after Desert Holiday so we took him on as a sale horse. Wednesday was our first class together. He’s super unbelievably careful. But for how careful he is, he has heart times two. He has the biggest heart and best personality. He’s so small but he thinks he’s the biggest guy out there.”

The horse is only about 15.1 hands high, but makes up for his small size in heart.

Savannah Jenkins and Forastero 2 in their winning presentation. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

“When I’m cantering up to the verticals were pretty much eye level with the 1.35m verticals,” she joked. “But he’s got a good amount of blood and I have another 9-year-old mare who’s the same way and she’s 15 hands, so they complement each other pretty well.”

In a group of talented young horses, Jenkins was the fastest of six double-clears, but the race at the top was very close, with most of them only within a second of one another’s jump-off times. She has high hopes for the horse but also remains realistic.

“You never know with the young ones,” Jenkins remarked of what she expects from Forastero 2. “We’ll keep building him up and seeing when he either tells us this is where I’m at or keep going. It’s only my second class but the idea is for him to find his next home. The last two classes and his photos are showing some pretty big potential so we’ll see.”

Savannah Jenkins and Forastero 2. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Jenkins has built up a business that is thriving at DIHP, and she’s put in more permanent roots to spend most of her winter at the facility.

“We actually just bought a house out here so we’re really loving being out here,” she shared. “I have a lot of sale horses and a few clients so I’ll be here the next 10 weeks. I’m aiming toward the FEI classes with my older horses, and I love these young horse classes and the 1.40m classes on Sunday. I have a lot of horses between 5 years old and 16 years old, so there’s a money class for all my young ones coming up. I’m hoping for a lot of sales, a lot of wins, and a great time.”

Kyle King was second with Fazenda Semilly, owned by Roaring Fork Farms, and Megan McDermott was third with Bruce Z, owned by Counter Balance LLC.

Show jumping continues Saturday of Desert Circuit 1 with the $25,000 U.S. Bank Grand Prix.

Steffen Peters Returns to Winning Ways at Desert Dressage II

Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper. Photo by Terri Miller

Steffen Peters (USA) made a victorious return to the Grand Prix Arena aboard the legendary Suppenkasper, owned by Four Winds Farm and Akiko Yamazaki. Peters and the 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Spielberg x IPS Krack C) did as they know best, and performed exceptionally, winning both the FEI World Cup Grand Prix, sponsored by Elizabeth Keadle, and the FEI World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle, sponsored by the Brad & Kathy Coors Foundation.

On Friday, Peters and “Mopsie” rode to a score of 74.804% in the FEI World Cup Grand Prix, sponsored by Elizabeth Keadle. Following that momentum, they returned to the ring Saturday to ultimately earn a score of 79.795% in the FEI World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle, sponsored by the Brad & Kathy Coors Foundation, topping the field of international entries.

Peters and Mopsie are no strangers to international competition, having represented the United States at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, where they took home a team silver medal. But competing on the international stage close to home, in San Diego, CA, is an extra special feeling for Peters.

Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper. Photo by Terri Miller

Just last April, the duo represented the USA on home turf, competing at the FEI World Cup Finals in Omaha, NE, and walking away as the top-placing American pair. During his Freestyle in Omaha, Peters took an already outstanding freestyle and incorporated musical elements from his home state of California.

“It was very good, and very exciting,” Peters remarked of his top finish in front of a home crowd in Omaha. “We tried to top it a little bit from Tokyo. “We made it a little bit better, and that’s very hard because it was already such a good freestyle to start with. The crowd loved it, ‘Mopsie’ loved it, and I loved it.”

Peters has always had a love for competing in front of a home crowd, which was why the 2023 FEI World Cup Finals were such a big goal of his.

“It’s just so special,” he continued regarding competing on U.S. soil. “The second I got done, I saw some people standing up for us, and I had both of my arms up in the air. It’s just such a wonderful feeling and it’s really hard to describe. After 50 years of doing this sport, it still gets me really excited.”

In 2024, the FEI World Cup Finals head to Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia, and Peters is already on his way to earning a spot there, though the competition will be steep to secure a qualifying position.

Erin Nichols Has Victorious Debut at Desert Dressage II

Erin Nichols (USA) and Elian Royale. Photo by Terri Miller

Twenty-year-old Erin Nichols returned to DIHP to compete in her first-ever international event, and it was a winning weekend for her as well, topping both the CDI3* FEI Grand Prix, sponsored by It’s A Good Life Podcast, and the CDI3* Grand Prix Special with Elian Royale, owned by Premiere Sport Horses.

On Friday, in the CDI3* FEI Grand Prix, sponsored by It’s A Good Life Podcast, Nichols and Elian Royale scored a personal best of 66.478%, and things just kept getting better as the week went on, scoring a personal best of 69.404% in the CDI3* Grand Prix Special just one day later.

“This was a great milestone for my horse and me and a great introduction to the international level,” Nichols reflected on her wins. “To be able to step into the big tour at 20 years old is really special, and I’m really grateful for the opportunity to learn all about this level at such a young age. And I’m really excited for what’s coming next now.”

Having competed in both jumpers and dressage, Nichols is well versed in the horse show world, but stepping into international competition presents something new no matter the discipline, and she welcomed the changes.

“At the CDI we had five international judges; they had such a super panel this weekend. They are the same judges you would get anywhere else in the world. It’s judges I know from Europe, and it just gives you that experience without having to travel to Europe to have them judge you. It’s such a unique opportunity to be able to compete in a CDI for these judges in California,” Nichols explained.

Erin Nichols (USA) and Elian Royale. Photo by Terri Miller

Desert International Horse Park has always aimed to raise the level of the sport on the West Coast, and Nichols sees the efforts paying off.

“It’s really special,” she said of having CDI competition in her home state. “I’ve been coming to Desert Horse Park for around 10 years, back when I started as a jumper, so I’ve seen all the improvements they’ve made and it’s turned into one of my favorite facilities. It’s incredible to see each time I come there’s something new that’s a fantastic improvement. They’re always trying to do better. It’s a really cool atmosphere when you ride, the footing is always fantastic, and the arenas are just gorgeous.”

Elian Royale is still a growing partnership with Nichols in the irons, having brought the horse to the states from Europe to be her newest partner. With their training under David Wightman, they’re learning the ropes of the higher levels of dressage. Nichols and the 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Johnson TN x Amidou) are more than hitting their stride, they’re proving to be ready for the big leagues.

“I think we’ve both grown tremendously as a partnership,” she said. “We’re starting to trust each other more and I’m trying I’m starting to learn how to manage his fire. He’s so hot. He just loves what he does, so it’s about managing his excitement and his love for what he does. I’ve never met a horse that loves what he does more than him. The more I go into this level, the more I see how easy it is for him. I feel I can take a step back and just let him shine and let him do his thing and just help him be his best, and in turn, do my best as well.”

Elizabeth Ball and Vivalia. Photo by Terri Miller

Elizabeth Ball also took a win in National competition during Desert Dressage II, presented by Adequan®. Ball and Vivalia, a 9-year-old DSP mare owned by Cadence LLC, topped the Intermediate 1, sponsored by Horse Hair Analysis, on Saturday. Their score of 72.500% put them atop the field in the class, helping to add valuable experience to the young horse’s resume.

The remaining 2023-2024 Desert Dressage dates are as follows:

Desert Dressage III: December 14-17, 2023
CDI-W / CDI2*/ CDI1*/ CDIU25 / CDIJ / CDIY / CDIP / CDICh-A / CDIAm / CDIYH
USEF Level 5

Desert Dressage IV: January 4-7, 2024
CDI-W / CDI2*/ CDI1*/ CDIU25 / CDIJ / CDIY / CDIP / CDICh-A / CDIAm / CDIYH
USEF Level 5

]]> https://deserthorsepark.com/emma-lindstrom-scores-bucket-list-item-with-coraggio-in-65000-ushja-international-hunter-derby-regional-championships/ Sat, 11 Nov 2023 06:41:03 +0000 https://deserthorsepark.com/?p=30184 If Emma Lindstrom and Coraggio were on cloud nine Thursday after their championship in the High Performance Hunters, Friday put them into an entirely different orbit. The pair checked off a bucket list item: winning the $65,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championships in the Grand Prix Arena at Desert International Horse Park.

National Sunshine Series 2, presented by Marshall & Sterling, had already gone swimmingly for the pair. They both thrive at high fence heights, especially ones adorned with fancy decoration, at its peak during the day’s feature event, designed by Thomas Hern, in the Grand Prix Arena.

Emma Linstrom and Coraggio. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Lindstrom and June Salin’s 12-year-old gelding put in a stellar round to start, earning a combined score of 178 from the two panels of judges. The gelding’s sweeping canter and beautiful jumping efforts kept them in the lead as round one came to a close.

In the handy round, Lindstrom did exactly what she had to do, being just bold enough while also protecting the lead, doubling her score with a repeat score of 178, for a two-round total of 356.

Just behind Lindstrom on a score of 354 was amateur rider Caroline Ingalls and Concerto, who just returned from a highly successful indoors season on the East Coast. Nicole Bourgeois captured third place with Belico Royal, owned by Peyton Broll, with a score of 351.5.

Emma Lindstrom and Coraggio in their winning presentation. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

“He is great in a big ring like this,” Lindstrom said of Coraggio’s winning performance in the Grand Prix Arena, which is home to hunters only a few times each season. “He has a huge stride and big, slow canter. A ring like this is made for him. He loves new environments so, for him, getting in there and seeing all the flowers and beautiful jumps, he loves that and it makes him pay attention. He was on it.”

The element of the handy she thought went particularly well was one that many riders dread. “He’s always great at the trot jump,” she shared. “I try not to take it for granted because it’s smaller than the rest of the jumps but I thought he did that really well.”

Caroline Ingalls and Concerto. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

The focus hasn’t always been front and center, however, for the gelding, who’s matured quite a bit from day one with Lindstrom and Salin. Under the training of Lindstrom for several years now, they’ve let the horse advance at his own pace, knowing there was a superstar horse within.

“The owner, June, has had him since he was 4, so it’s taken a few years to get here and there have been challenges along the way,” Lindstrom reflected on the path to this point with Coraggio. “He’s always been so brave, bold, and confident. It just took a little channeling to get him here, but it feels great.”

Nicole Bourgeois and Belico Royal. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

As for the training regime, the focus has to change frequently to keep the horse engaged. “It’s a mix of letting him think he’s having his own way while also making him understand there are some things he needs to just do,” she explained. “We do a lot of trail riding, I don’t go to the ring every day. We do a lot of cavalettis and small jumps just to keep him interested. His mind needs to stay engaged.”

With her bucket list win in her pocket, Lindstrom looks forward to the rest of the week and season enjoying everything DIHP has to offer. “We both love it here. There’s so much space to ride, we love going out back on the trail. The nice open spaces and big rings are great,” she said.

See full results from the $65,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championships here.

Audrey Carmody Captures CPHA Style of Riding Championship – Southern

Audrey Carmody and Castelino 5 in their winning presentation. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Sixty-six junior and amateur riders went head to head under the lights Friday night in the penultimate evening session of the National Sunshine Series to contend for the CPHA Style of Riding Championship – Southern. After two rounds of jumping, it was Audrey Carmody who took the win in the prestigious equitation final.

“I feel very happy,” Carmody, 18, said of her win. “It’s my first medal finals win and I feel very grateful to have done it on a friend’s horse. It was really fun and unexpected. I just wanted to make the second round and to be on top was really special. Going into [the USEF/NCEA Medal Final] tomorrow I’m going to try to have a smooth round and see if we can replicate today.”

The horse she piloted was her friend Lillian Muzzy’s Castelino 5. “I’ve only been riding him for about a day and a half,” Carmody said of her partnership with the winning horse. “He was perfect; we just went into the ring and did his job perfectly. He packed me around like he knew exactly what to do. It was really fun. Thanks to Lilly Muzzy for letting me ride him.”

The CPHA Style of Riding Championship focuses on a jumper-style course where faults and time matter as much as the actual style around the course. Because of that, riders’ strategies are different for this class than in most other equitation classes.

“For this class I just really wanted to be clear and inside the time because I know it can be tight sometimes, especially when there are so many people in it,” Carmody explained. “We also focused on being under the lights in a different environment. For the NCEA [Medal Final] I really like how it focuses on the flatwork and switching horses. Tomorrow we get to be smooth but not focus on time, and we also get to focus on flatwork and riding other horses.”

The time was set quite tight, just another challenge these junior and amateur riders face coming into an already challenging environment. “I really wanted to be inside the time and be clear first of all, so I was trying to be efficient wherever I could and turn as neatly as possible, also trying to get the right number of strides,” Carmody explained of her game plan.

The past two years, Carmody has focused quite a bit on the equitation, but she’s only a few weeks out from the end of her junior career, so she’s making the most of the medal finals season.

Audrey Carmody led the victory gallop. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

“I just got back from indoors and recently sold my equitation horse,” she shared. “This is actually the last portion of my junior career. Next up is Vegas for WCE Finals and after that I become an amateur. I’ve been doing the equation for about two years now competitively. I ride with Shayne and Skylar Wireman and they’ve helped me so much in the past few months. I am so grateful to them, my parents, and everyone else who’s made it possible.”

Like many of the young riders at DIHP and around the country, Carmody believes in the equitation as a solid foundation for the rest of her riding. Having just stepped into the jumpers for the first time this week, she already feels the benefit of a solid equitation background in the jumper ring.

“The equation is important because it teaches you to be accurate and smooth,” Carmody reflected. “I’ve actually never done the jumpers before this week, but I noticed that when I went in after only doing the equitation, I thought it was easier to be smooth when you know how to ride the bending lines, S-turns, and rollbacks that equitation teaches you. It gives you a good basis of fundamentals to build up from.”

Up next, Carmody and other junior athletes will contend in the USEF/NCEA Junior Medal Final, taking place Saturday afternoon. Also kicking off Saturday and concluding Sunday is the Onondarka Medal Final, for riders aged 12 and under. The champion of the Onondarka Medal Final, in its second year at DIHP, will win a new CWD saddle.

Schroeder, Banis, Nelson and Omand Capture National Derby Wins

Karli Schroeder and Coastal. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Karli Schroeder is on a roll in Open National Hunt & Go Derby action, taking victory in section B of the $10,000 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby – Open, sponsored by Marshall & Sterling. This week, she won aboard Coastal, an 8-year-old American-bred gelding owned by Emily Williams.

“He’s very special to me because I’ve ridden him since he was 4 years old,” Schroeder remarked. “He’s 8 this year and really coming into his own in these national derbies. This is his fourth win this year. I thought he excelled the most in the handy portion today. I was really proud of him. There were a couple technical turns and he was right there for me. He’s a big horse and a long horse, so I wasn’t sure how the turns were going to go but he was so good and followed me everywhere. I couldn’t have asked him to be better.”

Schroeder’s scores of 89.5 and 92 for a combined total of 181.5 sealed the deal, while last week’s winners, Jenny Karazissis and Big Shot, owned by Dulcie Lou Morris, took second with a 178.75. Keeping it in the family, Simon Schroeder took third with Azucar, owned by Erin Boatwright, scoring 176.75.

Karli Schroeder and Coastal. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

“I am feeling very blessed right now. I have a really good string of horses going, thanks to some awesome clients that are super supportive,” Schroeder continued. “I’ve gotten a lot of opportunities to do the derbies lately and I’m really enjoying it.”

The hunter schedule is filled with highlights during the upcoming circuits, with big hunter action taking place every single week. “Of course I’m looking forward to the $100,000 WCHR Spectacular at the end of Desert Circuit,” Schroeder said of what she is most excited about on the hunter schedule. “That’s always one of my favorites. I’m excited for some of the bigger international derbies that are coming up at the beginning of next year.”

Natalie Banis and Mayfield. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Section A let a different group of horses shine in the $10,000 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby – Open, sponsored by Marshall & Sterling, and it was Natalie Banis in the spotlight aboard Mayfield, owned by Kathryn Phillips. The pair had the highest score of the day in any derby, with a handy round score of 94 and a total score of 183. Halie Robinson’s score of 177 with Crowd Pleaser, owned by West Coast Equine Partners, LLC, took second, while Paige Dendiu and Expressive, owned by Kaylen Schwartz, were third on a 171.

Juniors and amateurs each got their own respective derbies on Friday. Noah Nelson had an explosive return to the derby ring after taking top results at equitation finals on the East Coast, taking the win in the $10,000 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby – Junior, sponsored by Valencia Sport Saddlery. His ride, Catwoman, owned by his mother, Leslie Pinkerton Nelson, has been a staple for him in the derby rings and in the Junior Hunters.

Catwoman in her winning presentation, pictured with Ecole Lathrop of Valencia Sport Saddlery. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Sophia Donald claimed second aboard Apropos, while Sophie Sherman and Best Chance, owned by Sherman Equestrian, LLC, took home third.

Jayme Omand found herself atop the $10,000 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby – Amateur, sponsored by Valencia Sport Saddlery, with Mister Carrera, a newer ride for her.

“He’s only 6 and I just got him at the end of last year,” she said of the Dutch Warmblood gelding by Carrera VDL. “We’ve been building quite the partnership. He’s an amazing animal. He knows it all, does it all, and I’ve challenged him with everything. I’ve missed and he’s got it; he’ll figure it out. He’s the best young horse I’ve ever owned. I’ve never really done the hunter derbies or had a competitive hunter and he’s so competitive. I love him.”

Jayme Omand and Mister Carrera in their winning presentation, pictured with Ecole Lathrop of Valencia Sport Saddlery. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Omand stays busy at DIHP on her average show day, and Friday was no exception. “It was a little chaotic for me because I had my jumpers going at the same time, but I do better with chaos because if I have to sit and wait all day I get more nervous,” she explained. “I came up with the course, took a breath, watched a few, warmed up and thought about what’s best for him and what works for him. I tried to go out there and keep my cool.”

With exciting opportunities across all rings, Omand is pleased to be back in the desert to take advantage of all DIHP has to offer. “I love all the classes. I love the fill and flowers of the hunter ring. Every course I’ve done out there this week has been so beautiful and I am loving all the decoration in the big Main Hunter ring,” she remarked.

Hunter action continues through the weekend with Junior and Amateur Owner Hunter divisions.

“Mark rode like a freak,” Clarke said, having watched Kinsella’s speedy round. “I had the faster horse and maybe took the tighter track, but he was unbelievable. He took a totally different approach. He didn’t do as tight a track but he did all the leave-outs everywhere. To beat Mark when he rode that great was awesome.”

Lane Clarke and Venom. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Kinsella claimed second at the close of the class with his ride Marquis Le Beau Courally, owned by Katherine Huffstutler, while Jamie Taylor took third with Quatar, owned by JT Equine LLC.

“Mark and I get along great,” Clarke continued. “As competitors we respect each other’s abilities and also like each other as friends. Don’t get me wrong, I want to beat him every time, but when he does well I’m really happy.”

To win a class of 78 competitive entries is a feat in and of itself, which speaks to the quality of the horse Clarke sat on.

Lane Clarke and Venom in their winning presentation. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

“Venom is a really special horse,” he said of the 10-year-old gelding by Chacco-Blue. “My dad, [Alan], got him a few years ago. He’s an incredible trainer of difficult horses so we got him on a trade. He started out really difficult; he was so spooky when we’d jump poles on the ground. He always had great technique and scope, but he was so sharp that he didn’t want to go anywhere. We took a long time building him and did a few shows a year.”

According to Clarke, this has been Venom’s breakout year. “This is our first year trying to do damage and he’s been incredible,” he reflected. “He’s won four grand prix this year. He’s a rocket. He’s so fast and my dad’s got him really broke so he turns really well. It’s nice being in the Ferrari.”

Clarke and his father began working side by side, and now have evolved to have a unique working relationship, as well as a family bond which will never fade. His father built the foundation for Clarke’s riding career, and the two still benefit from one another’s expertise.

Lane Clarke and Venom. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

“My dad and I still have a super close relationship. We talk training every day,” Clarke shared. “He helps me a lot with groundwork. Once or twice a week he brings a horse up and I’ll ride them. Anytime he gets a special horse he brings it, we discuss what it needs training wise, and I fine tune and he fixes it. It’s amazing to work with your dad on the regular and share the same passion.”

His father enjoys seeing him win, but has a go-to line regardless of the result. “He gets pretty calm when it goes well. When my family calls, if I lose he said I’m ‘my mom’s’ kid. When I win I’m ‘his kid.’ I got to be his kid today,” Clarke laughed.

Calling California home, Clarke enjoys his time in the desert, as do his horses. “There’s a lot to like,” he said of Desert International Horse Park. “I think the best thing here is the weather and space. They’ve made a bunch of improvements. Every year you come here there’s something better. It never stays the same. They always get good course designers, they have great materials, the footing is really good, it’s getting better and better all over the show. It’s nice to go to a place and feel like they’re constantly trying to make improvements.”

For the win, Venom donned a FarmVet branded cooler and the customary ribbon sash for his victory lap. “I just want to thank FarmVet for sponsoring the class,” Clarke concluded. “Without the sponsors we don’t have all of this.”

National show jumpers continue Saturday evening for the $100,000 Marshall & Sterling National Grand Prix under the lights.

Emma Lindstrom and Coraggio Jump to High Performance Hunter Championship

Emma Lindstrom and Coraggio. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Emma Lindstrom admits it took June Salin’s 12-year-old Coraggio some time to mature, but she’ll also admit it was worth every minute. The duo took championship honors Thursday of National Sunshine Series 2, presented by Marshall & Sterling, in the High Performance Hunters.

“June Salin has owned since he was four, coming five, so he and I have a really good relationship,” Lindstrom said. “I’m lucky that I share him with June. He and I know each other really well and we’ve been partnered these last six years, working our way into the derbies and the four-foot hunters.”

The path to the highest jumps wasn’t straight, but it was successful as the horse matured at his own pace.

“He was a little difficult,” Lindstrom reflected. “He’s very confident and he thinks he knows a lot, which he does, but as a young horse that was hard to manage. He was a little full of himself. We took it slow because we knew there was a really nice horse in there, but we didn’t want to push him because he needed to do it in his own time. He has always loved jumping and has always been so good at it, but sometimes his work ethic needed a little channeling.”

Emma Lindstrom and Coraggio. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Now, Lindstrom pilots Coraggio and Salin watches from the sidelines as the pair racks up top results.

“She is a lifelong horsewoman and found him herself,” she said of how the partnership came to be. “She initially bought him for herself to do the equitation, but we realized the international derbies are where he could really shine. He’s a bold, confident, brave horse. I’m so fortunate and grateful. She’s a great owner and friend. She’s so supportive. She gave me the reins to get him going in the green hunters and work our way up. Watching and supporting him is her favorite thing.”

Back in the desert, Lindstrom is aiming Coraggio at Friday’s $65,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championship, an arena in which the horse thrives.

“I love being able to do the derbies here and he loves the Main Hunter ring and the Grand Prix arena,” she shared. “He’s always loved this facility so it’s nice to have these rings and opportunities to go in the big rings for the derbies. He’s always happy to be here.”

Friday features derby action from National to International, with the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby – Open, sponsored by Marshall & Sterling, and the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby – Jr/Am, sponsored by Valencia Saddlery, along with the $65,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championship.

The pair had a midway draw in the order of 58 entries, and, as Blanchette might say, just had a nice trip around Anderson Lima’s speed course. The mare’s speed is so undeniable, however, that it was enough to take the win by a convincing margin. Coming home in 62.597 seconds, the pair was over three seconds faster than second-place finisher Kyle King with Cerolino, owned by Ilan Ferder.

“She is better this year than ever,” Blanchette said of the mare, owned by RTS LCC. “I’ve been riding her since she was 9; she’s 12 now and each year she’s gotten a little better. This year at Spruce Meadows she gained a couple gears. She won a five-star derby there and after that she won a four-star World Cup Qualifier. Today I was going to canter around at the pace she likes and it’s enough to win. She’s just a once-in-a-lifetime horse.”

Robert Blanchette and Chardonnay. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

When asked what qualities make her a once-in-a-lifetime horse, Blanchette replied, “Her heart. There’s a lot of things: scope, carefulness, rideability, but it’s her heart. She wants to win. She wants to please. We’ve been together so long now that we know what each other is thinking. I know five or six strides out if she might touch something. And I know if she won’t touch something.”

After his blazing fast round, Blanchette did what he always does: gave Chardonnay a cookie. She’s come to expect the gesture after jumping, and quite a bit in the barn as well.

“[I’ve given her treats] since the beginning,” he said of his treat-focused training. “I had a coach as a little kid and he always gave horses treats constantly. I still do, too. My whole life – as my wife will tell you – has been one washing machine full of horse cookies after another.”

Robert Blanchette and Chardonnay in their winning presentation, pictured with Chloe Staiano and Sarah Chenoy of FarmVet. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

The past few years with Chardonnay in the picture have changed Blanchette’s riding, but he also has another secret weapon in working with a performance coach for the last three to four years. When negative thoughts creep in while on course, he is able to change the subject and think positively.

“I have a [performance] coach that says don’t think [negatively], so I try to change the thought,” he said of the mindset he’s adopted. “It’s improved my riding in every aspect, mostly the focus and the ability to switch your mood at the snap of a finger. It’s what you need to do in a sport like this when it’s just you in the ring and you have pressures outside. You might’ve just gotten off a 4-year-old hunter and you have to change gears right away, and there are techniques to do that that you can learn.”

The Aptos, CA, resident is pleased to be back in the desert enjoying all it has to offer for the two-week National Sunshine Series, also looking forward to a season full of highlights for himself and his barn of clients and owners.

“It’s a great show, and has great footing,” he said of DIHP. “Steve is improving everything. Every time I come it’s better and I’m really happy about that. We’ll be here a lot.”

The schedule for National Sunshine Series week 1 isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Friday features the $15,000 Hidden Creek Farms 6-Bar, the $10,000 Platinum Performance USHJA National Hunter Derby – Open, the $10,000 Adequan® USHJA National Hunter Derby – Jr/Am, and the 3’ Butet Junior/Amateur Equitation Challenge.

Joie Gatlin and Oslo Claim 3’6” Green Hunter Championship 

Joie Gatlin started the season at Desert International Horse Park on a high note, earning championship honors with Oslo, owned by Alexis Meadows. 

“He’s one of my favorite horses ever, hunter or jumper,” Gatlin said of the 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding. “We’ve had him for just over a year now. We found him in Europe from Desiree Johnon. He’d been doing the jumpers over there and he was such a nice mellow athletic type. Beautiful horse, great mover, great jumper.”

Joie Gatlin and Oslo. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Oslo is in his comfort zone at the 3’6” fence height, thriving with both Gatlin and Meadows in the irons.

“We started nice and easy last year and he did the 3’6” all year,” Gatlin said of the horse’s progress in the United States. “He’s had a great year. He was Circuit Champion here, and he did the 3’6” Green Hunter Incentive Finals and tied for tenth his first time traveling outside of California. He’s the nicest easiest horse there is. He and I get along really well and I love riding him. We’ll move him up to the 3’9” [Green Hunters] next year. He’s just lovely. He’s easy and good about everything.”

Gatlin and her team base in the desert for the winter, meaning they’ve set up camp for everything to come over the next few months.

“It’s really nice to be back in the desert,” she reflected. “There’s always improvement. There’s such a variety of classes – fun classes, money classes, good derbies, the WCHR weeks. It’s the place to be. It’s a great place to build up your horses and they can really grow up through a circuit with the variety of classes. They have good footing, great jumps, and great course designers. It’s such a nice place to build [young horses] and – with your seasoned horses – win. There are so many great classes to win and great prize money to jump for.”

Hunters continue Friday with the $10,000 Platinum Performance USHJA National Hunter Derby – Open and the $10,000 Adequan® USHJA National Hunter Derby – Junior/Amateur.

Conor Swail and Ikonic PB. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

“‘Kona’ jumped extremely well,” Swail said of the now 10-year-old mare. “It’s her first round this year actually, so it was a good start. She’s a good mare, very careful, and I’m looking forward to jumping her over the winter.”

Thirty-four entries tested Manuel Esparza’s single-round speed track, making use of the vast Grand Prix Arena. Of those, 16 jumped clear, but it was a race at the top to secure the podium finish. Swail’s ultimate time of 59.263 seconds with Ikonic PB sealed the deal. Fellow Irishman Nicky Galligan finished second with Hermoine De L’Hodez, owned by GYL Farm LLC. The duo was just off the winning pace, finishing in 59.351 seconds. Robert Blanchette, also of Ireland, claimed third with RTS LLC’s Chardonnay.

Nicky Galligan and Hermione De L’Hodez. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Swail, a regular in the desert, plans to utilize the upcoming weeks at DIHP to strengthen this horse’s resume, adding international classes to the slate later this season. “I’m hopefully going to get her into some ranking classes this circuit,” he continued. “That’s part of what’s so great about this place. You can go into the [Grand Prix Arena] which is fantastic and you can really train them well. Hopefully they’ll learn a lot while we’re here.”

The mare is a promising future mount for both Swail and Mannix, winning the Interactive Mortgage 10 & Under Futurity Series in 2022, but she’s not one to be caught watching TV in her free time.

Robert Blanchette and Chardonnay. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

“She doesn’t love the screen here so she can be a little difficult. I thought I should get on her and give her a bit of confidence and teach her that everything is okay when you go in. [They] have to learn to trust the rider and trust the process. That’s why I’m riding her for now, but I must say I’m really enjoying it. She’s a lot of fun and she’s very fast,” Swail concluded.

Ikonic PB’s comfort level with the screen in the Grand Prix Arena is only growing each time she steps in the ring, and her trust in Swail has led her to a 100% win rate for 2023 so far.

Conor Swail and Ikonic PB in their winning presentation. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Show jumping continues Thursday with the $5,000 La Quinta Resort CSI3* Two Phase and the $30,000 FarmVet 1.45m Open Classic.

Final Results: $10,000 Hygain Feeds 1.35m Welcome Speed

1. Ikonic PB / Conor Swail / Vanessa Mannix / 0/59.263
2. Hermione De L’Hodez / Nicky Galligan / GYL Farm LLC / 0/59.351
3. Chardonnay / Robert Blanchette / RTS LLC / 0/60.271
4. Jane Avril Des Terdrix / Hannah Evans / Hannah Evans / 0/60.730
5. Balboa SH / Jessica Gleason / Linda Miller / 0/61.663
6. T-Quick Hurricane Z / Allison Kroff / TC Sport Horses LLC / 0/61.763
7. Capella Van De Poenjaard Z / Saree Gordon-Solanki / Tomboy Farms / 0/62.092
8. Quality H / Mark Kinsella / Ben Asselin / 0/62.137
9. Madison / Holly Scapa / Holly Scapa / 0/64.013
10. Carola Z / Kyara Semrau / Kyara Semrau / 0/64.823
11. Daytona / Ian McFarlane / Arwen Stables / 0/65.849
12. Casturano / Conor Swail / Conor Swail / 0/70.017

Conor Swail (IRL) and Theo 160. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Prior to Swail’s clean effort with Theo 160 over Colm Quinn’s (IRL) track, a few notable names on talented mounts had secured spots in the jump-off. Two Olympians, in Gregory Wathelet (BEL) and Cassio Rivetti, plus Kyle King (USA) and young superstar Eliza Broz (USA), stood in between Swail and the eventual top call in the first FEI Grand Prix of Desert Circuit 2023.

As the crowd prepared for what could only be a blazing fast jump-off, each of the first four competitors pulled rails on course, leaving the door open for Swail and his trusty partner Theo 160 to put in a clear round and win the class. It wasn’t that easy, though.

Conor Swail (IRL) topped the podium in the $145,100 CSI3* Whittier Trust Grand Prix, pictured with Katherine Wiechmann, Devin Wikke, Tom Frank, and Andre B. Van Niekerk from Whittier Trust. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Wathelet put the pressure on aboard Clarity, with a 4-fault round in 36.61 seconds, just to be topped by Rivetti with Ilan Ferder’s Nadale Van Dorperheide in a 4-fault time of 35.52 seconds. If an unlucky rail were to fall, the hope of winning from a play-it-safe strategy was lost.

“I was last to go and there were two very fast 4-faulters and two 8-faulters so my strategy was to go around clear,” Swail said of his ultimate double-clear effort. “I thought my horse was jumping well enough this week that we could gamble on slowing it down and just trying to jump a clean round.”

Swail admitted Theo 160 was prepared to go fast, as he is typically asked to do in jump-off action. “He dove a little right on me over fence one; he was probably waiting for me to do a sharp turn or something,” Swail remarked. “That wasn’t really the plan. It was just about trying to get home safely. Thankfully it went to plan apart from that first jump there. The horse has been great all week. He’s a fabulous horse, he’s been on a great run. He finished up fabulous last year. He’s continuing on the good form so it’s a great start for me.”

Cassio Rivetti (BRA) and Nadale Van Dorperheide. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

A few months prior, Swail admitted Theo 160, owned by Team Philippaerts, wasn’t on his usual rhythm of clear rounds. “He wasn’t himself for a period of time,” he commented. “He was still trying hard but he had lost a bit of confidence and a bit of stride. We went through the basics of how healthy he was feeling and did some exercise and training at home. We got the vet to look at him and got him going again, and off he went.”

Swail’s travel schedule in 2022 allowed him to maximize FEI competition in the United States, keeping a number of horses in California to compete for top honors in the FEI events in the desert, while also keeping himself in contention for CSI5* action.

Gregory Wathelet (BEL) and Clarity. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

“I have the same group here that I had last year actually,” he said. “Vital Chance [De La Roque] just arrived this week and he’s going to come out next week. Normally Theo is not my number one horse but it was his job to be number one this week and he really stepped up. He had a fabulous week. It is great to be able to manage your horses that way. I have my best horses out [of competition] this week but I’m lucky enough that I have a great string that they’re very capable of stepping in and doing a great job.”

Rivetti ended up in second with Wathelet in third, making the podium a who’s who of top-level show jumping.

CSI3* competition resumes during Desert Circuit III, kicking off with the FEI jog Wednesday, January 18.

Final Results: $145,100 CSI3* Whittier Trust Grand Prix

1. THEO 160: 2012 HOLST gelding by Christian 25 x Calando IV
CONOR SWAIL (IRL), Team Philippaerts: 0/0/41.32

2. NADALE VAN DORPERHEIDE: 2013 BWP gelding by Zilverstar T x Winningmood
CASSIO RIVETTI (BRA), Ilan Ferder: 0/4/35.52

3. CLARITY: 2009 HOLST gelding by Clarimo x Ephebe For Ever
GREGORY WATHELET (BEL), An Breeding: 0/4/36.61

4. SIG CHIARI: 2012 OS gelding by Cristallo II x Landadel
KYLE KING (USA), SIG International: 0/8/38.05

5. KARDENTA VAN’T MEERHOF: 2010 BWP mare by Cardento x Concorde
ELISA BROZ (USA), Hidalgo LLC: 0/8/38.84

6. ECHO DE VIRTON: 2010 SBS gelding by Vagabond De La Pomme x Grignoteur De La Fontaine
MARIE VALDAR LONGEM (NOR), Marie Valdar Longem: 3/77.17

7. ALGORHYTHEM: 2005 KWPN gelding by Eurocommerce Tampa x Calvados
MARIE VALDAR LONGEM (NOR), Marie Valdar Longem: 4/73.19

8. BONITA VH KEIZERSHOF Z: 2011 ZANG mare by Bustique x For Pleasure
ALI RAMSAY (CAN), Ramsay Equestrian Inc.: 4/73.68

9. CARISSIMO 25: 2013 HOLST gelding by Cascadello x Clinton
MAVIS SPENCER (USA), Georgy Maskrey-Segesman: 4/73.81

10. LIVESTREAM 2: 2010 OLDBG gelding by Lordanos x Landadel
LISA CARLSEN (CAN), Lisa Carlsen: 5/75.44

11. LAVALLINO TER KLOMP: 2011 BWP stallion by Clearway x Coriano
JENNIFER WAXMAN (USA), Lost Lake Farm LLC: 5/75.76

12. COPYCAT: 2013 WESTF gelding by Comme Il Faut x Wogenbrecher
LORCAN GALLAGHER (IRL), Lost Lake Farm LLC: 6/76.46

Kaitlin Campbell Proves Patience Breeds Results in $30,000 1.40m Open Classic

On the final day of Desert Circuit II, it was Kaitlin Campbell and Linda Starkman’s homebred Sun Warrior who topped the $30,000 Marshall & Sterling 1.40 Open Classic Sunday out of a field of 37 horse-and-ride combinations. Campbell climbed to the top of the leaderboard aboard the 9-year-old chestnut gelding with a speedy jump-off time of 38.768 seconds, making it look effortless. Campbell notes, however, that her partnership with Sun Warrior, known as “Junior” in the barn, was not always as flawless as the round spectators witnessed today.

Kaitlin Campbell and Sun Warrior. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

“It was a rough time at the start, and it’s taken a lot to get him to where he is now, but he’s really stepped up to the plate. He’s won a lot of classes,” Campbell reflected about the horse she’s ridden the past three years.

While it wasn’t a match made in heaven in the beginning, Campbell reflected on Junior’s progression from an excitable young horse to where he is now.

“When he was a young horse we did so many rounds at an uncontrollable speed without any steering and I refused to circle,” Campbell continued. “I didn’t want to let him win that, so [today] I knew I couldn’t possibly go as fast as I did in some of those rounds, not on purpose.”

Kaitlin Campbell and Sun Warrior in their winning presentation. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

Campbell described the flashy chestnut gelding to have a lot of personality, both under-saddle and on the ground, even proving stubborn at times.

“Junior decides what he wants to do at his own pace,” she went on. “We didn’t do lead changes for the first six months, and one day he suddenly did lead changes. [At first] he wouldn’t walk into the wash stall, and one day he decided to walk into the wash stall. He’s like that riding too. I have to make sure I don’t over-do it, and he doesn’t scare himself. Once he has the confidence to do something, I don’t think there’s anything he won’t do.”

Campbell’s jump-off pushed top Irish rider Conor Swail to ultimately finish in second with a close time of 38.885 seconds aboard a new mount, Casturano. Nicole Haunert claimed third with Cherokee Show Horses’ Calgary IV. When asked where she thought she made up time on course, she credits her horse’s jumping style and technique.

“I know now I can let him go and he listens to me a lot better, and he’s very fast across the jumps,” Campbell continued. “Conor’s horse spent a lot of time in the air and was giving really good efforts, but my horse jumps a little bit faster through the air.”

Even with an exciting win today, Campbell and her team at SWS Training and Sales are no strangers to the winners circle here at DIHP.

“We pretty much show at The Desert Horse Park [year-round]. With all of the improvements they’ve made, the horses are super happy, especially this horse. He loves to be ridden back on the track in straight lines. We get a nice gallop so I really think that’s nice for the horses to get out of the ring,” Campbell said.

Looking towards the future, Campbell has great plans for Sun Warrior, and believes this to be just the start. As a young horse, she prefers he go fast, be competitive at this height, and make a mistake or two before he starts jumping even bigger tracks.

Campbell, a true competitor, laughed as she was advised that a double- clear could get her a nice paycheck this week. Her response, naturally, was, “but that’s not fun!”

Like Mother Like Daughter: Isabelle Moore and Theodore Top Adult Hunter Classic

Not many competitors at Desert International Horse Park (DIHP) have the pleasure of competing alongside and against their own mothers, but that is precisely an honor Isabelle Moore had during Desert Circuit II.

Aboard her mother Jennifer Berman’s Theodore, Moore put in stellar rounds to receive double scores of 86, putting herself atop the leaderboard in the DePaolo Adult Hunter Classic.

Isabelle Moore and Theodore. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo

“My mom initially got [Theodore] for herself and I fell in love with him and kind of adopted him to be my own,” Moore, of Pacific Palisades, CA, said of the 13-year-old Warmblood gelding. “I’m away at college and every time I come home we just click. He’s always there when I need him.”

When asked what makes them click so well, she responded, “I think his personality; he has so much going on in and outside of the ring. He’s always got his ears forward, every jump he slightly grunts, so you know it’s a horse with a good brain. Outside of the ring he’s a cookie and treat monster who loves people, especially those who give him food. He’s really easy to love.”

Along with her own riding goals, Moore supports her mother’s goals in the ring. “My mom is an amateur and she was competing against me today on her other horse, Stiletto,” Moore continued. “She’s ridden her whole life and she was the one who got me into it. When I was a junior she did the adults so we never really went head to head. It still feels the same though; there’s no competitive nature between us. We also both started doing the jumpers. We’re competing against each other in the jumpers as well. Maybe I feel less competitive because I won!”

The relationship between the two on the showgrounds is a very supportive one. “We are always watching one another,” Moore explained. “I’m a big part of her learning her courses and walking the courses, and I help her get to the ring on time. We always watch each other, support each other, walk courses together, and even compete against each other.”

Moore attends the University of Wisconsin, pursuing a Political Science and Legal Studies Major. While she can’t be in the saddle often, she maximizes her time at home and enjoys coming to DIHP while school is out of session.

“I take advantage of the times I’m home as much as possible,” Moore said. “Luckily we have long winter breaks which line up with Desert Circuit, so I’m able to come home and get right to it and show up in the desert for this. I have to make the most of it when I do have the time.”

While Moore heads back to school following Desert Circuit II, her mother, Berman, stays in the desert to continue showing and may even add new horses to the string. Hunter action gets back underway for Desert Circuit III on Wednesday, January 18.

Team Eye Candy topped the podium in the second-to-last leg of MLSJ 2022. Photo by ESI Photography

Eye Candy put in a completely clear slate in round one, joining Lugano Diamonds, Spy Coast Spies, and Trailblazers in the top four, with the advantage of going late in the second round. Conor Swail (IRL) with Theo 160 and Amy Millar (CAN) with Christiano put in the fastest combined times with no rails to add, putting them in pole position for the gold medal.

In the final round, Natalie Dean (USA) of Lugano and Paul O’Shea (IRL) of Eye Candy went head to head in the gold medal matchup. Dean and Cocolina pulled one rail to add three seconds to their final time, but stayed on the pace. O’Shea knew what he had to do, and got some wise words from Swail heading into the ring.

Conor Swail (IRL) and Theo 160. Photo by ESI Photography

“He had to go quick enough still,” Swail said of his advice to his fellow countryman. “[Squirt Gun] is relatively fast, so he had to have a good, tidy round. The horse was awesome and so was Paul, so it worked out well.”

O’Shea’s time of 42.65 seconds sealed the deal and handed Eye Candy their third win of the 2022 season.

Paul O’Shea (IRL) and Squirt Gun. Photo by ESI Photography

“It’s been a good season,” Swail continued. “Look at us now; we’re three points behind [the lead]. We feel like we could have done a little better here and there but we’ve had a lot of podium finishes. We always have a good plan going into it and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. Thankfully, more often than not it does with the horses and riders we have.”

Millar, who hasn’t jumped for the team the past few events, is happy to be back on the roster and back at DIHP. “I really enjoy coming here,” she said. “The footing on this field is fantastic. It gives back to the horses. My horses feel like they have springs in their shoes. Everyone is so nice. The car racing was amazing. It’s quite a treat to come out here for this event and Major League really treats us well, as does this horse show.”

Amy Millar (CAN) and Christiano. Photo by ESI Photography

O’Shea was named the leading rider of the 2021 season, along with the team title just one year ago, so he is optimistic about the team’s chances heading into next week’s final. “It’s great we have a realistic chance now. It’s going to make it more exciting, so that’s good for the whole league. We’ll be doing our best,” he said.

The league points are now close enough that Team Helios is breaking a sweat. Helios, who placed fifth in Saturday’s team event, is sitting on 64 points with Eye Candy on 61, so it all comes down to what happens in the final, set for Thursday, December 8.

The $217,200 Whittier Trust MLSJ CSI5* Grand Prix concludes the first week of Major League Show Jumping at DIHP on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

Final Results: $200,000 Whittier Trust CSI5* MLSJ Team Competition

1. SQUIRT GUN: 2011 OS gelding by Diarado x Quick Star
PAUL O’SHEA (IRL), Eye Candy Jumpers: 0/42.65

1. CHRISTIANO: 2012 BRAND gelding by Canoso x Compliment
AMY MILLAR (CAN), Future Adventures: 0/41.14

1. THEO 160: 2012 HOLST gelding by Christian 25 x Calando IV
CONOR SWAIL (IRL), Team Philippaerts: 0/40.39

2. GAKHIR: 2011 KWPN gelding by Spartacus TN x Labor’s VDL Indorado
ERYNN BALLARD (CAN), Ilan Ferder: 0/41.33

2. AUSTRIA 2: 2008 HOLST mare by Casall x San Patrignano Corrado
KENT FARRINGTON (USA), Take The High Road, LLC: 4/44.39

2. COCOLINA: 2011 OS mare by Conthargos x Papillon Rouge
NATALIE DEAN (USA), Marigold Sporthorses LLC: 0/43.31

3. AGANA VAN HET GERENDAL Z: 2011 ZANG stallion by Aganix Du Seigneur x Naminka
LILLIE KEENAN (USA), Chansonette Farm LLC: 0/42.23

3. VICK DU CROISY: 2009 SF mare by Mylord Carthago x Vondeen
LUIS GONCALVES (POR), Sigma Stables LLC: 0/44.34

3. CHIC CHIC: 2011 WESTF stallion by Comme Il Faut x Contendro
DARRAGH KENNY (IRL), Vlock Show Stables LLC: 0/40.96

4. HUBERTH B: 2012 KWPN gelding by Verdi TN x Mr. Blue
RODRIGO LAMBRE (BRA), Ilan Ferder: 4/45.54

4. ROYCE: 2004 OS stallion by Cafe Au Lait x Grandilot
MARGIE ENGLE (USA), Gladewinds Partners, LLC: 0/41.40

4. PICADOR: 2007 AES gelding by Lupicor x Concorde
JORDAN COYLE (IRL), Elan Farm: 0/42.91

Coyle Commands a Win in $40,000 CSI2* Grand Prix

Irish riders continued their winning streak Saturday morning at Desert International Horse Park (DIHP) as Daniel Coyle (IRL) topped the $40,000 La Quinta Resort & Club CSI2* Grand Prix with Ariel Grange’s Jeffrey Jarden.

Daniel Coyle (IRL) and Jeffrey Jarden, pictured with Candy Bengston from La Quinta Resort & Spa. Photo by ESI Photography

The first-round course, set by Michel Vaillancourt (CAN), saw 10 clear rounds, of which Coyle laid down the quickest jump-off time by only a small margin. Clocking in at 37.30 seconds, Jeffrey Jarden took his first FEI win, though the 8-year-old gelding (Bustique x Warrant) has come close to a win with Coyle in the irons.

Daniel Coyle (IRL) and Jeffrey Jarden. Photo by ESI Photography

“We bought him last year at the Hendrix auction and I only started riding him a few months ago,” Coyle said of his winning mount. “I went to a three-star in Kentucky and my first horse wasn’t performing very well so I decided to jump [Jeffrey] in the Grand Prix and we got third place. So I thought maybe this horse is better than we first originally thought. From that point forward he’s been great in every FEI class he’s been in.”

Ashlee Bond (ISR) and Chill Ma. Photo by ESI Photography

“We didn’t try him,” Coyle continued regarding his and Grange’s decision to purchase the horse. “We just watched and connected to this horse and she bought him. He’s been brilliant.”

This is Coyle’s first trip out to DIHP, and so far the results and the experience have been great. “I wasn’t sure if we were going to come because usually at this time we take a little break,” he explained. “But I have a few more horses here and I really like [DIHP] and Major League. The shows are a real contender with the world. I’ll definitely come back here because I like it here. The weather is good and it’s very relaxing.”

Jordan Coyle (IRL) and Costa Diam. Photo by ESI Photography

Ashlee Bond (ISR) and Chill Ma, owned by Ilan Ferder, took second-place honors while Jordan Coyle finished in third with Costa Diam, owned by Elan Farm.

Final Results: $40,000 La Quinta Resort & Club CSI2* Grand Prix

1. JEFFREY JARDEN: 2014 KWPN gelding by Bustique x Warrant
DANIEL COYLE (IRL), Ariel Grange: 0/0/37.30

2. CHILL MA: 2013 HOLST mare by Crunch 3 x Alcatraz
ASHLEE BOND (ISR), Ilan Ferder: 0/0/37.58

3. COSTA DIAM: 2012 SF mare by Componist Champblanc x Allegreto
JORDAN COYLE (IRL), Elan Farm: 0/038.91

4. TOULAYNA: 2014 ZANG mare by Toulon x Parco
KENT FARRINGTON (USA), Kent Farrington LLC: 0/0/39.37

5. CADEAUMINKA: 2013 NRPS mare by Kannan x Jodokus
LILLIE KEENAN (USA), Chansonette Farm LLC: 0/0/39.39

6. DUVERIE: 2013 SF gelding by Diamant De Semilly x Damiro B
RUPERT WINKELMANN (GER), Eickendorf Horses: 0/0/39.54

7. FASOLE DU SEIGNEUR: 2011 SBS mare by Doremi x Ogano Sitte
CONOR SWAIL (IRL), Hot Horses LLC: 0/040.58

8. SIGMA: 2013 stallion by Numero Uno x Dollar Du Murier
LUIS GONCALVES (POR), Sigma Stables LLC: 0/0/43.40

9. QUIDAMO 10: 2011 HOLST gelding by Quidam De Revel x Lasino
ARTURO PARADA VALLEJO (MEX), Signe Otsby: 8/37.80

10. DORADO DE RIVERLAND: 2013 SF gelding by Untouchable x Argentinus
NAYEL NASSAR (EGY), Evergate Stables LLC: 0/8/45.38

11. SIG CHIARI: 2012 OS gelding by Cristallo II x Landadel
KYLE KING (USA), SIG International: 4/76.60

12. NKH MR. DARCY: 2013 HOLST gelding by Darco x Chepetto
CHRISTIAN HEINEKING (GER), NKH LLC: 4/76.79

Kaitlin Campbell Captures $50,000 Brown Advisory Grand Prix

Kaitlin Campbell was not intimidated by the level of speed the other jump-off contenders had reached when her turn came in the $50,000 Brown Advisory Grand Prix Saturday night of Desert Holiday I. Alec Lawler held the lead with For Gold, and Campbell came in on her partner of three and a half years, SWS Training & Sales’ Paulina De L’Escaut, and made the class her own.

Kaitlin Campbell and Palina De L’Escaut. Photo by ESI Photography

“Alan Wade is my favorite course designer,” Campbell said after her win. “I’ve won the most of my grand prixs with him building. [Palina] wasn’t showing FEI this week so I made a big stink about showing this class tonight because I knew Alan was building and I knew I had my fastest horse. I knew I better go in and at least try to win.”

Karl Cook had set the pace earlier with Signe Otsby’s Fecybelle and ended up in third as the class drew to a close. But Campbell’s time of 31.448 was nearly one second faster than any other competitor, awarding her the top spot after all six jump-off contenders had gone.

Kaitlin Campbell and Palina De L’Escaut. Photo by ESI Photography

“I saw Karl Cook go and he’s always really fast. But my horse is just super fast across the ground. Her legs just move so fast that I know if I go as fast as she can go I have a good chance of winning,” Campbell explained.

The rider for the DIHP Roadrunners has been traveling the Major League Show Jumping tour all season and had to miss the National Sunshine Series to be in Mexico for the tour. “All the imnprovements are super,” she said of her return to DIHP. “The horses are jumping really well. The grass field looks amazing. Palina will jump for Major League next week so this was a great setup.”

McKenna Norris and Billy Nala. Photo by ESI Photography

McKenna Norris and Billy Nala were awarded the $1,000 Equifit U25 championship for their performance in Saturday night’s class.

Final Results: $50,000 Brown Advisory Grand Prix

1. Palina De L’Escaut / Kaitlin Campbell / SWS Training & Sales / 0/0/31.448
2. For Gold / Alec Lawler / Alec Lawler / 0/0/32.413
3. Fecybelle / Karl Cook / Signe Otsby / 0/0/33.120
4. Tashmir Z / Alexandra Biederman / 0/0/35.737
5. Bisou / Keri Potter / Tres Palomas / 0/4/31.230
6. Coffee To Go / Kyle King / Spruce Meadows Ltd / 0/4/32.275
7. Chakkalou PS / Patricio Pasquel / Patricio Pasquel / 1/76.003
8. Testigo LS / Angel Karolyi / Angel Karolyi / 2/77.075
9. Hellcat / Jacqueline Steffens / Eye Candy LLC / 4/71.339
10. Errol / Conor Swail / Sagamore Farms / 4/72.453
11. Mantua LS La Silla / Kaitlin Campbell / SWS Training & Sales / 4/73.028
12. Ittolo / Kyle King / Kerri Volek / 4/73.493

DIHP welcomed back the Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships and Platinum Jumper Championships for Zones 9 and 10 during Desert Holiday I. Individual medals were awarded Saturday to the following divisions:

Platinum Jumper Individual Championship 1.40-1.45m:

• Gold: Cameron Trimino and Adalberto Audi Scappino
• Silver: Lauren Kolbe and Dots & Dashes
• Bronze: Katie Murray and Ismir Van De Baeyenne

Platinum Jumper Individual Championship 1.30-1.35m:

• Gold: Makena Bloebaum and Isaac
• Silver: Emilie Bell and Veuve Clicquot
• Bronze: Alyce Bittar and Lara Croft B

Zone Amateur Jumper Individual Championship 1.20-1.25m:

• Gold: Alison Locke and Betty Boop De Vidau
• Silver: Drew Weber and WT Lakota
• Bronze: Rachel Loftin and Django 398

Zone Junior Jumper Individual Championship 1.20-1.25m:

• Gold: Addison Durrett and Secret Fernhill
• Silver: Avery Glynn and Aladin Des Brimbelles
• Bronze: Andee Hawk and Diamonds Du Toultia Z

Zone Adult Jumper Individual Championship 1.10-1.15m:

• Gold: Lisa Baller and VDL Groep Cyrano Z
• Silver: Samantha Collingsworth and Mylord Junior
• Bronze: Linda Azab and River Liffey

Zone Children’s Jumper Individual Championship 1.10-1.15m:

• Gold: Mackenzie Greer and Lo Visto Van’t Hulgenrode
• Silver: Marian Ehlers and Capris
• Bronze: Megan Holliday and Revelation