Monarch and Jamie Sailor Shine in $40,000 FarmVet 1.45m Open Classic

Thermal, Calif. – Jamie Sailor and Monarch made their last class of 2025 a memorable one as they jumped to victory in the $40,000 FarmVet 1.45m Open Classic on December 14, to close out Desert Holiday 2 at Desert International Horse Park.

Olaf Petersen Jr. designed the track for the Sunday morning class, and ultimately seven of 28 entries traversed his course without fault to qualify for the jump-off.

Sailor and Monarch were only the second pair to return to the Grand Prix Stadium for the shortened course, but they laid down a clear time to beat of 37.723 seconds that would prove uncatchable through the remainder of the class. Finishing in second place with a time of 38.877 seconds – and also earning the win in the $1,000 U25 held concurrently – was Della White aboard her own Gucci. Katherine Huffstutler rounded out the top three with a clear time of 39.959 seconds aboard Independence TN.

“I did the leave out in one line that I don’t think people expected today,” said Sailor of what helped clinch the win for her and Monarch, owned by Ahmad Nassif. “I didn’t do the leave out to the last one…I said, ‘He’s still a bit green at this! I’m going to go a little wide here.’ It ended up paying off in the end. I know there were maybe a few faster times, but the rails kept coming down. I’m really just pleased with how [Monarch] was produced throughout the year. He did one grand prix so far. So, this is his third 1.45m class I believe. He’s just going to keep shining, I hope!”

Sailor first began showing Monarch in December 2024, and she has spent the past year producing the 9-year-old Holsteiner gelding up through the ranks from the 1.20m to the 1.45m.

“He’s so much fun to ride. I just love him,” said Sailor. “He’s learning to be really confident. He has a huge stride, so I’m learning to kind of manage where he needs to be. Next year, our plan is to do the big grand prix classes, hopefully. I’m very excited. He’ll come next year here [to Desert International Horse Park] for four weeks or five weeks maybe and hopefully be doing FEI. I have big plans for him in the future, but he’s still 9 coming 10, so we’ll see how he wants to keep producing. I’m very excited and happy for him today.”

To view full results from the $40,000 FarmVet 1.45m Open Classic, click here.

While Sunday, December 14, marked the conclusion of the Desert Holiday series at Desert International Horse Park, hunter/jumper competition resumes in the new year, with Desert Circuit kicking off on January 7, 2026. To view a full schedule of upcoming competition offerings, visit deserthorsepark.com.