Thermal, Calif. – Topping the 94-horse field to win Wednesday, December 3’s $10,000 IDA Development 1.35m Welcome Speed required putting the pedal to the metal. Fortunately, that is something David Sterckx is extremely familiar with, and he piloted Episode de Vains to victory to kick off Desert Holiday 1 at Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, Calif.
David Sterckx and Episode de Vains. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
For roughly the past 12 years, Sterckx has spent very little time in the show ring. Instead, he has focused on coaching students out of his San Pascual Stables in Pasadena, Calif., and on his “other sport career”: racing cars.
“I didn’t have the horses…Now that I have the horse, I really enjoy it. I’m very happy!” said Sterckx. “I’m very lucky to ride [Episode de Vains].”
David Sterckx and Episode de Vains. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
In speaking of the 11-year-old Selle Français gelding, owned by Reagan Voxman, Sterckx continued, “It’s one of my student’s horses. It’s a horse that we got from Grégory Wathelet. She’s off to college so she’s letting me ride him for all that time, so it’s really good for me. It’s an amazing horse. We have a lot of success so far with him. I really enjoy riding him.”
When Sterckx and Episode de Vains entered the Grand Prix Arena on Wednesday, the time to beat had been set at 60.026 seconds by Simon Schroeder and Charlie Red Wine CS, owned by Morris Simchowitz. That time had gone untouched for 80 rounds before Sterckx flew over the final fence and shaved off just enough time to clinch the win in 59.825 seconds. Schroeder held on to second place, and third place with a time of 60.174 seconds went to Jamie Sailor and Atlantic DVZ, owned by Teton Farms LLC.
David Sterckx and Episode de Vains. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“There were a lot of entries, so I wasn’t too convinced that I was going to win to be honest!” said Sterckx. “Then, as I went through the course, he had a really good rhythm. I also had the help of Grégory [Wathelet] to warm me up and to go over the course. All of his tips made us win. It’s really easy when you have someone like that behind you! I’m very grateful for that too.”
For complete results from the $10,000 IDA Development 1.35m Welcome Speed, click here.
Second place went to Simon Schroeder and Charlie Red Wine CS. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
Sterckx’s win in the class marked the start of the two-week Desert Holiday series at DIHP, which continues through Sunday, December 14. Highlights of Desert Holiday 1 include Friday night’s $200,000 Major League Show Jumping Cabana Coast CSI5* Team Competition and Saturday evening’s $750,000 CSI5* Coachella Cup Grand Prix, sponsored by Morrow-Meadows Corporation. For a complete schedule of events, click here, and to learn more about all competition at DIHP, visit deserthorsepark.com.