$36,400 Desert Classic FEI competition continued at Desert Circuit IV on Friday with the $36,400 Desert Classic at HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California. The second FEI class of the week.
Martin Otto of Muenster, Germany, aimed to be sure horses and riders were well prepared for aturday’s Longines FEI World Cup Jumping qualifier by designing the long and tricky 16-effort, 1.50-meter course in HITS Grand Prix Stadium. Four were clean to move on to the jump-off.
First to return for the jump-off was Kristen Hardin of New Cuyama, California, riding Firestone, owned by Nicole Teague. With the jump-off containing many twists and turns, Hardin knew she had to take advantage of quick, ground-saving turns to contend in the competitive jump-off field. Hardin and Firestone laid down a fast round, but an unfortunate rail at the second fence earned them four faults as they crossed the timers in 36.60 seconds.
Rich Fellers, of Sherwood, Oregon, riding Lux Lady, a beautiful 11-year-old mare, owned by Harry and Mollie Chapman, returned to the jump-off next. Fellers galloped to the first fence with his eye on the prize, and his time of 35.26 overtook Hardin, and even with a rail at A of the mid-course combination, Fellers had the temporary lead.
The course had yet to be conquered until Christian Heineking, riding from Weatherford, Texas, aboard NKH Selena owned by NKH LLC, entered the ring for the jump-off Heineking knew a clear round would move into first, but kept up tha pace as well, gallopingg through the markers in an astonishing, time of 34.24 seconds, moving him into first-place.
Following Heineking was San Diego Native, Mandy Porter, aboard Ace of Hearts, owned by Little Valley Farms. Porter and the bay gelding rose to the occasion as they flew through the shortened course. The crowd cheered as they galloped to the last fence in a race against the clock; they crossed the markers in 35.40, less than a second behind Heineking for second-place, putting Fellers in third and Hardin in fourth.
Place |
Horse |
Owner |
Rider |
Prize |
R.1 Faults |
JO Faults |
JO Time |
1 |
NKH Selena |
NKH LLC |
Christian Heineking |
$12,012 |
- |
- |
34.24 |
2 |
Ace of Hearts |
Little Valley Farms |
Mandy Porter |
$7,280 |
- |
- |
35.40 |
3 |
Lux Lady |
Harry & Molly Chapman |
Rich Fellers |
$5,460 |
- |
4 |
35.26 |
4 |
Firestone S |
Nicole Teague |
Kristin Hardin |
$3,640 |
- |
4 |
36.60 |
5 |
Basimodo |
Signe Ostby |
Karl Cook |
$2,184 |
4 |
- |
- |
6 |
I'll Be Frank |
Montis Horse Management LLC |
Kasey Ament |
$1,638 |
5 |
- |
- |
7 |
Stakkarus |
Jaclyn Duff |
Jaclyn Duff |
$1,092 |
5 |
- |
- |
8 |
Okapi de Terlong |
Jennifer Serek |
Jenn Serek |
$910 |
5 |
- |
- |
9 |
World's Judgment |
W.J. Partners |
Lisa Carlsen |
$728 |
8 |
- |
- |
10 |
Cruise |
Chris Pratt |
Chris Pratt |
$728 |
8 |
- |
- |
11 |
Chantico |
Karen Ball |
John Pearce |
$364 |
9 |
- |
- |
12 |
Juncal |
Woodgrove Farm |
Guillermo Obligado |
$364 |
10 |
- |
39.56 |
|