THERMAL, CA (February 2, 2010)—Canadian High-Performance riders are always well represented at the HITS Desert Circuit and this year is no different!
In fact, a pair of High-Performance riders from Canada had a great week during Desert Circuit I, as they are on the fast track to qualify for the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix that will be held at HITS-on-the-Hudson on September 12, in Saugerties, New York.
In the opening Grand Prix of the Circuit, Canadian Olympian Jill Henselwood made her first victory gallop of the season when she had the fastest double-clear effort aboard Bradon Construction's mare Beau Soleil in Friday's $25,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.
During Sunday's $50,000 EMO Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, it was Keri Potter and Rockford I who took the blue, but Henselwood rode Beau Soleil to a seventh-place finish. In Sunday's feature class, Henselwood was also 11th riding Bradon Construction's Bottom Line. In just one week, she has won more than $11,000 in Grand Prix prize money, so far, at the 2010 HITS Desert Circuit.
"It's been a great start for Canada," said Henselwood. "The horses know better! If they don't perform well we are going to leave the perfect weather and take them back to the cold."
Henselwood's countryman and accomplished Grand Prix Rider John Anderson is also on the right road to qualifying for the Pfizer Million. Anderson and his 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood Terrific were second in both Grand Prix classes this week, giving him a total of more than $15,000 in prize money won.
"Canada is certainly represented well," said Anderson. "Jill Henselwood is here with a bunch of good horses and, of course, John Pearce and Jenn Serek have been near the top of some classes too."
Show jumping action continues today at the HITS Desert Horse Park and highlighting the week for jumpers will be three Pfizer Million Qualifying Grand Prix events, including the first of four FEI World Cup Qualifiers when the $50,000 Strongid® C2 X Grand Prix takes the stage in the covered arena on Saturday night.
Pole Position!
With one week in the books, the race for the Catena Leading Grand Prix Rider Award is on, and Anderson is off to a 'Terrific' start with two second-place finishes. The standings for this prestigious award are based on points, not money won. Anderson has 24 points, which currently leads the way over Henselwood and Potter, who each have 20 points. Peter Lutz sits in the fourth position with 12 points and Joie Gatlin is fifth with eight points. The Catena Leading Grand Prix Rider will be honored during the Parade of Champions on Sunday, March 14 and will receive a beautiful timepiece from Catena that will celebrate their success in the Grand Prix ring.
The time-honored standards of Swiss-watch making excellence have been synonymous with Catena since 1950. Catena continues that tradition by combining Swiss craftsmanship and artistry with the latest technology to design a collection of truly unique equestrian timepieces. Today, Catena benefits from the experience and knowhow of the third- and fourth-generations of a Swiss family of watchmakers. For more information on Catena, please visit www.catenausa.com.
Fantastic French
World-class Hunter rider John French guided five horses to ribbons in the debut of the $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Derby on the West Coast. During the special, two-round 3' 3" classic he wowed the judges aboard Over The Moon to capture the title. Winning the class wasn't easy for French. He had to overtake Nick Haness, who had the highest first and second round scores aboard Catwalk and Granada, respectively. Haness, from Coto de Caza, California ended the class in second and third place with his two horses.
The Northern California native didn't stop there. In the Pre-Green Hunters French was in the irons aboard Kristin Emery Orr's Caterella en route to a weekly championship and in the First-Year Division he rode Alison Baileys' Symon to the weekly title.
"It was a great start to our tour here in Thermal," said French. "We (Waldenbrook Farm) have more than 40 horses with us and based on their results in the ring they seem to love it here. We have more clients here than ever and they are delighted with our early success."
Also excelling in the hunter rings was Jenny Karazissis who guided several mounts to weekly titles. In the Second-Year Green Division she was in the irons on Star Lane Farm's Martel en route to a title, and in the Regular Working Hunters she was aboard Lucy Stewart's Sole Heir.
Hunter riders will experience another full week of classes and, most importantly, get another chance to compete in the $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Derby on Sunday, February 6. One rider looking forward to this week's Derby is Keri Kampsen. "Anytime the hunters are brought into the limelight at a show it's great," said Kampsen. "These Hunter Derbies are a great format for both the horses and riders to excel and compete over a challenging course."
What's on deck?
Show jumping at the HITS Desert Circuit resumes today with Desert Circuit II and most of the buzz is about Saturday night's $50,000 Strongid® C2 X Grand Prix that will be the first our four FEI World Cup Qualifiers during the circuit.
Two-time Olympic Gold Medal Winner McLain Ward is in town for the next two weeks of competition. Also expected to show in the week’s big event are Canadian Olympians Jill Henselwood and John Pearce, making HITS Thermal the place to be for High-Performance riders this week. Michelle Spadone, another East Coast rider, is in town from Ocala, Florida to give Ward and the riders on the West Coast a run for their money.
Outside of the ring, fine equestrian art will be on display during the $50,000 Strongid® C2 X FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix for the second-annual Equine Art Gala and Exhibitor Mixer. For more information on special events at the HITS Desert Circuit, click here.
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