Mark Kinsella and Corradina Capture $2,500 CWD 1.35m Welcome Speed to Kick Off Desert Holiday I
Thermal, Calif. – Dec. 1. 2021 – Show jumping commenced at the Desert International Horse Park on Wednesday, December 1, with the $2,500 CWD 1.35m Welcome Speed, marking the start of two weeks of Desert Holiday competition. Twenty-eight riders took to the Alan Wade-designed course set in the Table II format. The course featured eleven obstacles that each horse-and-rider combination carefully attempted to navigate as quickly as possible without dropping any rails.
Among the challenges presented were two double combinations, short lines set across the middle of the arena, forcing riders to keep strides compact, and several rollback turns. As the course went on, the lines got longer, allowing riders to opt to leave out strides if their horses’ speed allowed. With no obstacles set on the course to allow for inside turns, it was a race to the finish down the lines and around the turns to set the leading time. Ultimately, Ireland’s Mark Kinsella topped the leaderboard with Corradina as the quickest of 12 clear efforts.
Aventus and Mitch Endicott Lead Day One of the Combined High Performance/Green Conformation Hunter Division, Sponsored by Ramard
Thermal, Calif. – Dec. 1, 2021 – The Desert Holiday I kicked off in Hunter 1 Wednesday morning with the combined High Performance/Green Conformation Hunter division, sponsored by Ramard. Top professional hunter athletes took center stage as they rode for an early lead during day one of competition. Each horse and rider combination tried their hand over a classic hunter course for round one and then showcased their handiness over a trying handy round. Several of the top competitors came back for the flat portion to garner more points towards the championship honors. In the end, it was Mitch Endicott and Aventus who took the lead after day one of the competition. Nick Haness and Only Always were right on their heels to sit in second, while Joie Gatlin and D’Avant sit in third.
Moments from Major League Show Jumping FEI 2* Jog, Presented by FarmVet
Results, orders of go, and time schedules for the Desert Holiday I can be found here.
To learn more about the world class competition being offered this year by Desert International Horse Park, click here.
