Thermal, Calif. – Patrick Billes and Espartano LS are no strangers to speed class success at Desert International Horse Park, and the pair is back again this year to already add to their winning resume. They picked up the first victory of Desert Circuit 2 with the fastest time in the $10,000 Prestige Italia 1.35m Welcome Speed held on Wednesday, January 14.
Patrick Billes and Espartano LS. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“I’m a happy guy!” said Billes following his win. “[Espartano LS] is just getting better and better.”
Billes and his 19-year-old gelding were one of 29 entries to take on the speed track set in the Grand Prix Stadium by course designer Kenny Krome. Midway through the order, they turned in a time of 64.254 seconds that would prove uncatchable.
Finishing in a very close second place with a time of 64.496 seconds were Michelle Berry and Kaboem HH Z, owned by Professional Maintenance Systems. Third place went to Carla Diewert who rode her own Kalou du Bourbecq to a time of 64.651 seconds.
Patrick Billes and Espartano LS. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“It was a great track; there wasn’t a lot of room to really get quick,” said Billes, who has been winning in the speed classes at DIHP with Espartano LS since at least 2021. “He’s won this class in the past by six seconds; there was not that opportunity today. You had to just be forward through everything, efficient in your turns. You had to just hustle. That’s kind of all there was to it. He jumped really confidently after doing the national grand prix last week. He came in here, and he showed me he can do anything that he wants.”
With Espartano LS’s knack for going fast, Billes is targeting qualifying for the $20,000 Speed League Final to be held during Desert Circuit 10.
Patrick Billes and Espartano LS. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
This week, competition at Desert Circuit 2 continues through Sunday, with highlights including Friday’s $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby – Open and $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby – Junior/Amateur, to be held on the Grass Field, and Saturday night’s $75,000 Kubota Grand Prix. To view a complete schedule and learn more, visit deserthorsepark.com.