Thermal, Calif. – Nov. 5, 2018 – It was all smiles, blue ribbons, and sunshine at the AON HITS Desert Horse Park for the National Sunshine Series. National Sunshine I featured qualifiers for the HITS Championships, the Zone X HOTY Jumper and Equitation Championships in addition to CSI3* competition.
The $5,000 Johnson Horse Transportation Open Welcome kicked-off the National Open Jumper for the week in the Grand Prix ring. Taking home top honors was Nayel Nassar aboard Lutz with a time of 38.597 seconds. Second place was awarded to Mathis Schwentker aboard NKH Caruso in 40.824 seconds, followed by Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Prince Of Peace taking home the yellow ribbon in a four-fault time of 38.487. The fourth place ribbon would go to Ashlee Bond and Ereina in a four fault time of 38.735. Rounding out the top five in the class was another ride by Schwentker in a time of four fault time of 42.616.
Photo: © ESI Photography
The second featured National class was the $25,000 SmartPak Open Prix. Thirteen riders would return for a very fast paced jump-off with John Pearce and Chantico, the last duo to challenge the shortened course, soaring through the timers in 29.038 to take home the blue ribbon.
Capturing second place was Shawn Casady aboard Interactive Mortgage 07 in a time of 29.151. Third place was another top five placing for Schwentker, this time aboard Quidano in a time of 29.262, followed by Nassar and Emilie de Diamant AS in fourth with a time of 29.275. Carly Anthony would take home the pink ribbon aboard Collonella Z in a time of 30.324.
Taking home top honors in the $2,500 Jr/A-O/Am 1.20m Jumper Classic was Alexis Sokolov and Scarface.
Estelle Navet and Artiste De La Roque would take home the blue ribbon in the $5,000 Pyranha Jr/A-O/Am 1.30m Jumper Classic.
A blue ribbon would be won by Katelyn Debny Edwards and Escapado S in the $7,500 KindredBio Jr/A-O/Am 1.40m Jumper Classic.
Saturday’s featured class was the $15,000 Roblee Valentine Equestrian Realty 1.35m Jumper Classic. Bond and Contefina LVF were the first to show in the class under Table II.2.b., and laid down a terrific jump-off in a time of 29.066 that would hold up through 56 more challengers for the win. In second place was Jaclyn Duff aboard Venus Du Gue in a time of 29.590, followed by Kyle King and Christian taking the third place ribbon in 29.782. Jumping to fourth place was Kevin Babington and Double O Seven in a time of 29.861 and rounding out the top five was Anthony in a time of 30.013, this time with her partner Java Van d’Abdijhoeve.
Taking home top honors in the Platinum Performance Hunter Prix with a score of 162 was Kim Hall and So To Speak. Hall was awarded a score of 82 in the first round, then followed that up with a score of 80 in the second round. Second place was awarded to Michelle Magnusson for her ride aboard Lennon to scores of 72.5 and 81, for a two round total of 153.5. Round out the top three and earning some early qualifying points for the HITS Championship was Katie Kotler and Paradigm. Kotler would finish with an overall score of 151, with individual rounds of 72 and 79.
Photo: © ESI Photography
Taking home top honors in the $2,500 Devoucoux Hunter Prix was Lexi Wedemeyer and Gone Country with a two round total of 173. Wedemeyer scored an 85 in round one and an 88 in round two. Riding away with the red ribbon was Wendy Valdes and For Me, scoring a 76 and 78 in each of their respective rounds, for an overall total of 154. Rounding out the top three in the class was Kylee Arbuckle and Ask Anyone with a two-round total of 153. Arbuckle scored a 67 in the first round and returned with a strong score of 86 in the second round.
Photo: © ESI Photography
National Sunshine I also hosted the $1,500 West Coast Pony Hunter Final. It was a one-two-finish for Shiloh Roseboom aboard her two ponies. Roseboom would finish on top with Heavenly Patch Of Blue with scores of 76 in the first round and 82 in the second round for a two round total of 158. An overall score of 155 would be awarded for Roseboom’s second place ride, Beach Boy. Scores of 80 and 75 would be award in each of the respective rounds. Rounding out the top three with a combined score of 153 was Madeline Luddy and Northwind Just Josh’n, receiving a score of 82 and 71 in each of the two rounds.
National Sunshine II will feature the $100,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Qualifier, hunter and jumper championships, medal finals, and more!