Thermal, Calif. – Karrie Rufer has made multiple trips to the winner’s circle already this Desert Circuit, and she returned there again on Wednesday, February 11. This time, she and Mr. Europe took home victory in the $10,000 Platinum Performance 1.35m Welcome Speed, held during Desert Circuit 6 at Desert International Horse Park.
Karrie Rufer and Mr. Europe. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
Rufer and Mr. Europe jumped in the first half of the class, and while a field of 53 total entries took on the Colm Quinn-designed course in the Grand Prix Stadium, none of them could catch Rufer’s time of 55.952 seconds.
Second place on 56.936 seconds went to Patrick Billes and his own Espartano LS, and Robert Sean Leckie and Cruz, owned by Kennedy Chang, rounded out the top three in 57.546 seconds.
Karrie Rufer and Mr. Europe. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“I walked the course, and there were a few places that I knew my horse, with his stride, could really leave things out and be efficient,” said Rufer of her plan with Mr. Europe, owned by Morning Star Sporthorses LLC. “Luckily, it all worked out. I didn’t actually have to go as fast as I sometimes have to, but I was able to be just super efficient and ended up catching the time. [Mr. Europe] was great. He just got the last 10 days off or so. He’s 17 so we kind of want to keep his legs fresh. Today’s his first week back, and now he feels as fresh as he did when we first started the circuit, so I think he’s ready to keep going!”
Part of Rufer’s efforts to keep the 17-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding fit between classes include utilizing the facilities available at Desert International Horse Park.
Karrie Rufer and Mr. Europe. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“This horse never really jumps outside of a show ring,” explained Rufer. “We don’t school him. Basically, I take him on trails and let him just trot around and relax. As long as he’s relaxed and fresh, then we’re good to go. Being 17, he knows the job like the back of his hand, so really it’s just about keeping his mind in a very calm place and his body kind of flexible and mobile. I take advantage of the track that we have here at [Desert International Horse Park] and the trails and the bridle path just to kind of remove him from the horse show a bit.”
For complete results of the $10,000 Platinum Performance 1.35m Welcome Speed, click here. With 10 weeks of top-caliber competition, Desert Circuit at Desert International Horse Park continues through March 15, 2026. To learn more and to view a complete schedule of events, visit deserthorsepark.com.