Kristen Vanderveen and “Frosty” Finish First in $40,200 Desert Classic at HITS Thermal

Thermal, Calif. – Nov. 10, 2018 – The FEI CSI3*-W week at National Sunshine II continued with the $40,200 Desert Classic on Friday in the Grand Prix Stadium. A field of 52 horse-and-rider combinations challenged the course in the second international class of the week at the AON HITS Desert Horse Park.

Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run's Faustino de Tili Photo: ESI Photography
Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili
Photo: ESI Photography

Many riders from Friday’s competition will go on to compete in Saturday’s $100,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Thermal CSI3*-W, including Nayel Nassar, John Pearce, Kevin Babington and Ashlee Bond.

Taking home the blue ribbon Friday, with the only clear round, was Kristen Vanderveen aboard Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili, also known as “Frosty,” in a time of 66.12 seconds. “Frosty is my ‘trusty steed.’ We have been long-time partners and he is my go to horse,” said Vanderveen. “It was really fun to ride him in a class when he has had an easy week. He is just jumping the ranking classes and I’m letting one of my younger horses jump the main class.”

Vanderveen, representing the United States, took home a customized winner’s cooler, trophy and Professional’s Choice saddle pad for her win in the $40,200 Desert Classic CSI3*-W.

Vanderveen would rise victorious with a course that involved some technicalities and a tight time allowed. “The time allowed was challenging which worked well for my horse since he’s known for how fast he is. That worked to our advantage.”

“What I liked about the course today is that you saw something everywhere. I thought height-wise it was just big enough before tomorrow’s class and we got our feet wet,” said Vanderveen. “The triple looked to be challenging for some horses, but for Frosty, who’s done World Cup Finals, he’s scopey and that worked out nicely for us.”

Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run's Faustino de Tili Photo: ESI Photography
Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili
Photo: ESI Photography

Second only to Vanderveen, was Eve Jobs, another American athlete, for her ride aboard Limbridge, crossing the timers with just one time fault in 70.98 seconds. Also with just one time fault was Vanessa Mannix, representing Canada, aboard Valentino d’Elte in a time of 71.09.

Ashlee Bond, representing Israel, would produce the fastest of the four fault rounds aboard Ereina to take home the fourth place ribbon in a time of 63.55. Following Bond in fifth place was Lindsay Archer, of the United States, aboard Jarpur with a four-fault ride in 64.16.

Rounding out the top six in the class was Mathis Schwentker, representing Germany, and NKH Caruso in a four fault time of 65.80.

The stage is now set for the $100,000 Longines FEI Jumping World CupTM Qualifier, Saturday, Nov. 10 at 3 p.m.

RESULTS

$40,200 Desert Classic CSI3*
Place / Horse / Rider / Country / Faults | Time
1. Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili / Kristen Vanderveen / USA / 0 | 66.12
2. Limbridge / Eve Jobs / USA / 1 | 70.98
3. Valentino d’Elte / Vanessa Mannix / CAN / 1 | 71.09
4. Ereina / Ashlee Bond / ISR / 4 | 63.55
5. Jarpur / Lindsay Archer / USA / 4 | 64.16
6. NKH Caruso / Mathis Schwentker / GER / 4 | 65.80
7. Shorapur / Kevin Babington / IRL / 4 | 66.40
8. The Gladiator / Tiffany Sullivan / USA / 4 | 66.81
9. Mark Q / Kevin Babington / IRL / 4 | 67.18
10. Georgie d’Auvray EC / Karrie Rufer / USA / 4 | 67.32
11. Enzo / Kyle King / USA / 4 | 67.62
12. Daylight VDL / Elizabeth Gingras / CAN / 4 | 67.81

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