Elisa Broz Blazes to Win $30,000 1.45m Open Classic

Desert International Horse Park (DIHP) is home to some incredible young talent, and that was made even more apparent Thursday afternoon when 18-year-old Elisa Broz took the win in the $30,000 FarmVet 1.45m Open Classic.

Aboard Tinkerbell, Broz had a late draw in the order of go, and the time to catch was Mark Kinsella’s aboard Quality H at the time. The young superstar piloted her own 13-year-old Mecklenberger mare to an unbeatable time of 62.235 seconds over Manuel Esparza’s single-round track. Kinsella ultimately took second aboard Ben Asselin’s mount, while Conor Swail took third with Casturano.

“She’s amazing; I love her,” Broz commented on Tinkerbell, who jumped her through the FEI North American Youth Championships in 2022. “She’s super good at the speed [format] and super quick naturally. She’s a total fireball in the ring but the sweetest creature in the barn. She holds a very special place in my heart.”

Broz has been building an impressive string of horses over the years and always returns to DIHP to take advantage of the robust schedule and build her resume of accolades. Together with Tinkerbell, she’s reaching new heights. “She’s [always] game,” Broz continued. “She always wants to get to the other side and wants to jump clear. She’s just as competitive as I am.”

Over Thursday’s course, Broz knew where her mare would shine and rode the exact plan she needed to to get the quick, clear round and top the 39 entries. “She naturally builds throughout the course so at the beginning I made sure to stay tight and tidy. She has a naturally quick stride and is fast over the jumps. She starts to open up close to the end so I just let her go. She’s naturally careful so I can let her do her thing,” Broz explained.

Continuing through the weeks of FEI and National show jumping, Broz has big plans for her string of horses and is one to look out for no matter the class or level. “I’m very fortunate that my parents support me and I have a great trainer, Cassio [Rivetti],” she commented. “The USEF pathway has really been my thing! I’m fortunate to have some incredible horses that are teaching me the ropes which is always important. I have some young ones now too which is really exciting.”

Aside from learning a great deal from Rivetti, Broz also had the opportunity to attend the USEF Horsemastership Clinic in Wellington, FL, in January. Her time away from the show ring was well worth its while, equipping her with knowledge from the best of the best in show jumping.

“One thing that McLain [Ward] said [at the clinic] is that our sport has changed in that we ride forward through the corners and balance at the fence,” she remarked. “That’s something I took and am implementing here, and something Cassio has also said to me multiple times. Hearing that and thinking about it a little more has made a difference.”

Opening up FEI competition earlier Thursday, Eric Krawitt (CAN) and Chicago CM topped the $5,000 La Quinta Resort CSI 3* 1.40m Two Phase in the pairs’ CSI 3* and DIHP debut.

“I think he’s got all the qualities and all the scope,” said Krawitt of the 10-year old Holsteiner gelding. “He’s got the mind for it, and he really goes in and wants to do his job and wants a clear round. I’ve had him for about a year now, so I’ve been taking my time with him. I think he’s going to be a very, very good horse for the future, so I’m excited.”

Krawitt took an early lead over Manuel Esparza’s (MEX) course with his first mount, Cactus De Cosniere, to be taken over by Chandler Meadows (USA) and Zamia 3. With Chicago CM, Krawitt regained his lead. “In the second phase I wasn’t planning on going too fast, but I took the inside turn after [fence] eight and it showed up nicely to [fence] nine,” he explained. “He caught the last two on a nice rhythm and it was very good.” Meadows ended up in second place, ultimately, while Zume Gallaher (USA) and Edita, owned by Blue Gate Stables, LLC, took home third.

During his first time at DIHP, Krawitt has proven to be a serious competitor. “This is our first time here [at DIHP], and we love it here. It’s been nothing but good to us. The show is amazing, the venue is amazing, and the rings are all great,” he continued. “ There’s lots of FEI classes this year which is a bonus for us. It’s nice to get the horses in there and get experience.”

FEI competition continues Friday with the $38,700 Pomponio Ranch CSI 3* Speed in the Grand Prix Arena. National show jumpers set their sights now on Saturday’s $50,000 El Cristiano Grand Prix.

Final Results: $30,000 FarmVet 1.45m Open Classic

1. Tinkerbell / Elisa Broz / Elisa Broz / 0/62.235
2. Quality H / Mark Kinsella / Ben Asselin / 0/62.537
3. Casturano / Conor Swail / Conor Swail / 0/65.143
4. Ittolo / Kyle King / Kerri Volek / 0/65.716
5. Odysseus / Kyle King / Patricia Vasey 0/68.095
6. Vulcana / Delaney Batter / Delaney Batter / 0/72.360
7. Charlie Red Wine CS / Simon Schroeder / Morris Simchowitz / 0/73.292
8. Palina De L’Escaut / Kaitlin Campbell / SWS Training & Sales / 4/61.660
9. Gamble / James Chawke / James Chawke / 4/64.735
10. Hermione De L’Hodez / Nicky Galligan / GYL Farm LLC / 4/65.386
11. Escapado Z / Ian McFarlane / Mountain View West Farm LLC / 4/66.021
12. Chardonnay / Robert Blanchette / RTS LLC / 4/66.105

Final Results: $5,000 La Quinta Resort & Club 1.40m Two Phase

1. CHICAGO CM: 2013 HOLST gelding by Cassini x Carpaccio
ERIC KRAWITT (CAN), Eric Krawitt: 0/0/32.80

2. ZAMIA 3: 2007 HOLST mare by Aljano 2 x Dream Of Glory
CHANDLER MEADOWS (USA), Chandler Meadows: 0/0/34.09

3. EDITA: 2009 KWPN mare by Ukato x Clinton
ZUME GALLAHER (USA), Blue Gate Stables LLC: 0/0/35.52

4. EMIR: 2009 KWPN gelding by Eurocommerce Dubai x Cardento
KAITLIN CAMPBELL (USA), SWS Training & Sales: 0/0/36.20

5. TRITON HASTAK: 2012 SWB stallion by Cabachon x Winningmood
LAURA HITE (USA), HF Farms LLC: 0/0/36.56

6. CACTUS DE COSNIERE: 2012 SF gelding by Padock Du Plessis x Flipper D’Elle
ERIC KRAWITT (CAN), Eric Krawitt: 0/0/37.16

7. DELUXENTO: 2008 KWPN gelding by Cardento x Lux Z
CAROLINE LYNN (USA), C & M Partnership LLC: 0/4/34.36

8. TASHMIR Z: 2012 ZANG gelding by Toulon x Kashmir Van Schuttershof
ALEXANDRA BIEDERMAN (USA), Alexandra Biederman: 0/4/36.22

9. VITAL CHANCE DE LA ROQUE: 2009 SF gelding by Diamant de Semilly x Rivage du Poncel
CONOR SWAIL (IRL), Conor Swail: 0/4/43.20

10. CARISSIMO 25: 2013 HOLST gelding by Cascadello x Clinton
MAVIS SPENCER (USA), Georgy Maskrey-Segesman: 1/48.46

11. CON CALLE: 2009 Holst gelding by Contendro II x Cassini II
MAVIS SPENCER (USA), Georgy Maskrey-Segesman: 1/48.58

12. INTERACTIVE MORTGAGE CAYJANO: 2013 WESTF gelding by Cayetano L x Danekonig
ANNA DUFF (IRL), Delong Equestrian Ventures LLC: 1/48.86

Benson Carroll and Elect Take Office in High Performance Hunters

Not many top-notch hunters are developed in the equitation ring, but Julia Nagler’s Elect took precisely that path. With Benson Caroll aboard, the 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding has become a top contender in the High Performance Hunters, and the pair took championship honors in the division on Thursday during week three of Desert Circuit.

Carroll had the horse originally for a student and didn’t think Elect had a place in his string once the student went off to college. What looked at first to be a goodbye turned into a great partnership.

“We got him from Joey Pedroni year before last,” Carroll said of his history with the horse. “I had him for a junior rider, and she rode him in the equitation. Then she went off to college so at the end of last year I thought, ‘What am I going to do? I can’t ride in the equitation.’ So I started riding him in the four-foot. He won some classes right away and was fourth in the $100,000 [WCHR West Coast Hunter Spectacular] in 2021. So I thought I was going to have to say goodbye but instead Julia Nagler bought him and kept him in the barn.”

The horse impressed the judges enough during week three to take top placings and secure the championship ribbon. Carroll notes the horse’s success is due to, “The fact that he’s got a great balance and a great rhythm, good movement, and he’s a really good jumper. Same goes for the equitation as the hunters; if you have a horse that has a beautiful jump and a great balance and rhythm you can do well in other divisions,” he shared.

With Nagler taking a break from the saddle this week, Carroll had additional time to keep polishing their partnership, but ultimately the plan is for Nagler to pick up the reins and show Elect in the High Performance Hunters and the hunter derbies.

Nagler echoed wanting to keep Elect within Kenilworth Sport Horses, saying, “We decided to buy him because we had him in the barn and we always loved the way that he went, his style, and just how good of a jumper he is. He walked right out under the lights in the Grand Prix Arena, and we felt like he should stay in the barn. We’re proud of him.”

Nagler is a long-time competitor at DIHP, growing up with the facility and watching it evolve over the years. “I love all the improvements they’ve made over the years,” she said. “I’ve been coming here since I was 12 years old; I’m 30 now. I think they’re doing a really good job for the horses and the people. I hope it just keeps growing and getting better each year.”

Friday of Desert Circuit III features the $10,000 Whittier Trust USHJA National Hunter Derby – Open, the $10,000 Adequan® USHJA National Hunter Derby – Junior/Amateur, and the Valencia Saddlery Family Class. The trainer of the winning horse in the $10,000 Adequan® USHJA National Hunter Derby – Junior/Amateur will be awarded a brand-new jump from Sky-Hi Industries.