THERMAL, Calif. – Keri Potter and Kalimera van de Nethe Z are kicking off the 2025–2026 Desert International Horse Park season just as they spent much of last season: winning.
After notching numerous victories in DIHP’s Grand Prix Stadium in early 2025, Potter and “Kalimera” returned there again on October 30, to take home the win in the $30,000 FarmVet 1.45m Open Classic at National Sunshine Series 1.
Course designer Guilherme Jorge set a challenging track for the Thursday afternoon featured class, with eight entries from the 44-horse starting field producing a clear round — and only three of those eight horses ultimately jumping double clear.
When Potter and Kalimera entered the ring, the time to beat had been set at 40.782 seconds by Zazou Hoffman and Bloom du Plessis — but speed is Kalimera’s specialty. The 10-year-old Zangersheide mare, owned by Karl Cook, cruised through the timers in a quick 38.661 seconds for the win. Hoffman and Bloom du Plessis, owned by The Bloom Group, finished in second, and third place with a time of 41.827 seconds went to Ariel Marx and Crystal Lane Farms LLC’s Kandersteg W.
“[Kalimera] really enjoys a big ring, so I was happy to get back here where she could just gallop and be herself!” said Potter, who also saw great success with Kalimera this summer in Michigan. After winning two CSI3* grand prix classes there at Traverse City Horse Shows, Potter and Kalimera headed next to smaller show rings where they did not see the same results.
“Her speed is gear five, and she loves gear five,” explained Potter. “That’s where she feels the most comfortable, so I can kind of just let her do that out here. Whereas, in a small ring, it’s really hard to do that and be successful.”
Potter continued, “Here, she can open up and just kind of be herself. It’s nice that, because there is some room in between the jumps, I have the ability to kind of be partially out of control but still in control at the same time!”
Because Kalimera does thrive in the Grand Prix Stadium, Potter hopes to use her time in Thermal, Calif., to continue to move the talented mare up the ranks. Presently, Potter has her sights set on this Saturday night’s $100,000 FarmVet Grand Prix and National Sunshine Series 2’s $100,000 FOBI Grand Prix, to be held on Saturday, November 8. From there, Potter plans to return in December for the Desert Holiday series.
“She loves it here, so I’m going to try to jump these two grand prix this week and next week and then try to come back in December and hopefully get her in the [CSI5*s] for the first time!” concluded Potter.
For full results of Thursday’s $30,000 FarmVet 1.45m Open Classic, click here.