After starting Sunday morning with a 1.35m win, Kaitlin Campbell concluded Desert Holiday 2 with her second victory of the day in the $40,000 FarmVet 1.45m Open Classic. This time, Campbell’s win came aboard Armentos, owned by SWS Training & Sales.
Kaitlin Campbell and Armentos. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
A field of 32 horses took on the December 15 class at the Desert International Horse Park, and Campbell and Armentos were one of six pairs to produce a clear round over the Alan Wade-designed course.
“I went last in the jump-off today,” said Campbell. “I know the riders pretty well. Mariano Maggi is super-fast; Jose Maria Quintana is super-fast. Unfortunately for them today, they had rails, so I knew I just had to be medium fast and not risk it too much. Armentos isn’t the fastest in the world, so going last in the jump-off today really suited him.”
When Campbell returned to the Grand Prix Stadium, the only double clear effort had been produced by Brazil’s Patrick Pellin aboard Chac Balandro PS. They had stopped the clock in 40.789 seconds, which proved easily beatable for Campbell and Armentos as they crossed the finish in 37.300 seconds. With Campbell taking the win and Pellin in second, third place with just one rail in a time of 35.586 seconds went to Mariano Maggi and Quantico 23.
Kaitlin Campbell and Armentos. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“I know Armentos super well,” said Campbell of the 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding. “I actually jumped him in the 5* grand prix this week, but that was the only class that he had done, so I decided just to jump him today as well as the last class of the year.”
Now, Campbell and her horses will enjoy some downtime for the holidays before returning to the Desert International Horse Park for Desert Circuit, which kicks off in January. To learn more about all competitions at the Desert International Horse Park, visit www.deserthorsepark.com.