Karrie Rufer and Mr. Europe Top $5,000 Pomponio Ranch 1.40m Two Phase CSI3*
Thermal, Calif. – Feb. 3, 2022 – International competition kicked back into gear at Desert International Horse Park (DIHP) Thursday for Week III of Desert Circuit after Wednesday brought severe winds and delayed several highlight classes. National show jumping athletes prepared their mounts for the week’s biggest classes in the $5,000 Desert Flight Open 1.40m Classic followed by the $2,500 Whittier Trust Welcome Speed. The feature class of the day, the $5,000 Pomponio Ranch 1.40m Two Phase CSI3*, brought forward 30 international entries over an Alan Wade-designed track. Emerging victorious at the close of the class was the United States’ Karrie Rufer riding Morning Star Sporthorses, LLC’s Mr. Europe.
Michael Williamson and Givenchy Grab Pegasus Farm Green 3’9’’ Hunter Championship
Hunter champions were crowned in the professional divisions on Thursday during Desert Circuit II. Amongst a field of impressive talent, athletes let their respective mounts show off their scope and athleticism to impress the judges and earn the top spot in each of the classes towards weekly championship titles. Topping the Pegasus Farm Green 3’9’’ Hunter division was Michael Williamson and Givenchy, owned by B R Farms, LLC. Reserve champion honors went to Corene Smith and Hannah Scheuer’s Copacabana.
