Thermal, Calif. – Desert Circuit 1 marked only In Theory’s second week competing in the 3’6” Green Hunters, but with Lindsay Stefanko in the irons, the 7-year-old Dutch Warmblood now already has a division tricolor to his name.
Stefanko piloted the gelding to three wins over fences to take home the championship in the combined 3’6”/3’9” Green Hunter division, held on January 7-8 at Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, Calif. Finishing as the reserve champions in the division were Chelsea Brittner and Aoki, owned by Greenley Achuck.
Lindsay Stefanko and In Theory. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“I couldn’t be more thrilled with how he showed up this week!” said Stefanko of the gelding that she imported from Europe in March of 2025. “I did him one week in December in the Greens just to sort of see what I had. I was really happy with that decision because I was able to go home for the Christmas break and kind of learn what I needed to work on and where he needed to figure out this stage a little bit more… Now he’s here, and he’s kind of figured out hunter life, which is really fun and exciting. It’s a great start to the circuit.”
In Theory consistently scored between an 84 and an 87 in each of the division’s four over fences classes – which Stefanko attributes to his exceptional style and ability over the jumps.
“He’s got probably one of the best jumps that I have ever sat on in my life,” said Stefanko. “That’s what I love most about him. And he’s got such a great personality. He’s chestnut, so he has his opinions for sure, but we sort of have each other figured out. He has his boundaries, but he has a little bit of room to play within those, which he likes.”
Lindsay Stefanko and In Theory were presented as the champions of the combined 3’6″/3’9″ Green Hunter division. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
Stefanko will continue to compete “Theodore” in the 3’6” Green Hunters throughout the winter season, as well as pointing the gelding at special classes and derbies offered on the Grass Field and in the Grand Prix Stadium at DIHP in the upcoming weeks.
For full results from all of the Desert Circuit 1 professional hunter divisions, visit dihp.showgroundslive.com.
To view a complete schedule of all competition offerings at Desert Circuit 1, presented by Barnwalkers & IDA Development, click here, and to learn more about all competition at Desert International Horse Park, visit deserthorsepark.com.