Thermal, California – December 05, 2021 – Major League Show Jumping competition came to an exciting close on Sunday during Week I of Desert Holiday Series at the Desert International Horse Park. CSI5* athletes took to the grass field for the final time for the $72,900 Purina Winning Round CSI5* and the feature class of the day, the FEI $230,000 Adequan Major League Show Jumping Grand Prix CSI5*, Presented by Essence Art Gallery. Taking top honors in the feature class was Cassio Rivetti (BRA) and Alanine de Vains, besting nine jump-off contenders. As the sun set over the Grand Prix Arena, CSI2* competitors took on the FEI $72,900 FarmVet Grand Prix CSI2*, which was won by Nayel Nassar (EGY) and Oaks Redwood.
Course Designer, Michel Vaillancourt, assisted by Peter Grant, set an expansive track covering the entire grass field for the 35 competitors. His course included 14-numbered obstacles, featuring an oxer-vertical-oxer triple combination, a vertical-oxer double combination, two liverpools, and a triple bar set off a short, rollback turn, all to be completed in the time allowed of 86 seconds.
First to jump the track clear and first to take on the jump-off course was Rivetti (BRA), who rode the Lindemann Barnett Sporthorses-owned entry Alanine de Vains, an 11-year-old Selle Francais mare. Knowing the depth of the field of qualifying entries that was coming behind him in the jump-off, including Olympians McLain Ward (USA), Eugenio Garza Perez (MEX), and Katie Laurie (AUS), among others, Rivetti took the most direct routes possible and did not waste any time, setting a time to beat with a clear round in 43.87 seconds. Several athletes, including Garza, Laurie (AUS), Ward (USA), Amy Millar (CAN), Andrew Bourns (IRL) and Bliss Heers (USA), attempted to beat Rivetti’s quick time, but fell short at the expense of rails down or additional seconds on the clock.
The first rider to put the pressure on Rivetti’s (BRA) leading time was Adrienne Sternlicht (USA), who piloted Bennys Legacy, her own 13-year-old Oldenberg gelding, to a clear round in a time of 44.86, just off the leading time, slotting her into an eventual third place. Conor Swail (IRL) stepped into the ring on a mission to take over the lead with Count Me In, a 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Sandy Lupton, but fell just short of the time to beat, clocking in at 43.92, just five thousandths of a second behind Rivetti (BRA), who led the ensuing victory gallop. The win in the $230,000 Adequan Major League Show Jumping Grand Prix CSI5*, presented by Essence Art Gallery, marks the first major CSI5* victory for Rivetti, who also calls California his home for the majority of the year.
The CSI2* riders wrapped up FEI competition at Desert Holiday I as the evening feature, the FEI $72,900 FarmVet Grand Prix CSI2*, took place in the Grand Prix Arena. Thirty-seven entries took to the course designed by Alan Wade, and ultimately it was Egypt’s Nayel Nassar and the Evergate Stables entry Oaks Redwood, a 16-year-old Warmblood gelding, who took the victory. Second place went to Kyle King (USA) and Enzo, owned by Seabright Investment Consultants, and Katie Laurie (AUS) with McCaw MVNZ, owned by Carissa McCall, rounded out the top three.
The CSI2* riders wrapped up FEI competition at Desert Holiday I as the evening feature, the FEI $72,900 FarmVet Grand Prix CSI2*, took place in the Grand Prix Arena. Thirty-seven entries took to the course designed by Alan Wade, and ultimately it was Egypt’s Nayel Nassar and the Evergate Stables entry Oaks Redwood, a 16-year-old Warmblood gelding, who took the victory. Second place went to Kyle King (USA) and Enzo, owned by Seabright Investment Consultants, and Katie Laurie (AUS) with McCaw MVNZ, owned by Carissa McCall, rounded out the top three.
Week II of Desert Holiday will again feature CSI5* and CSI2* competition, including the FEI $230,000 Adequan Major League Show Jumping Grand Prix CSI5*, Presented by Essence Art Gallery, and the FEI $72,900 FarmVet Grand Prix CSI2*, as well as the grand finale of the Major League Show Jumping tour, where all eight teams will vie for double points to secure the overall title for the season. Team Eye Candy sits in the lead overall with 60 points, with Team Roadrunners just being with 51 points and A.I.M. United sit in third place with 46 points.
Adrienne Sternlicht – Third place, $230,000 Adequan Major League Show Jumping Grand Prix CSI5*, Presented by Essence Art Gallery
On her relationship with Bennys Legacy:
“I have had my horse for two years now. He is incredibly special to me. I have had a difficult year riding-wise and have had a lot of ups and downs. He has stepped up and has become my number one horse. He is such a tryer and he is really my cup of tea to ride. I am really just so grateful every time I am able to go in the ring with him. He always tries his heart out for me.”
Steve Hankin – President and CEO, Desert International Horse Park
On the first week of Desert Holiday:
“It has truly exceeded our expectations by a mile. It has been two and a half years in the making. To imagine we would be sitting here with this group of riders and with this facility two years after starting is kind of a dream come true. The goal was to change the sport out here on the west coast and I think with the last two days we have done that. I don’t think it could have gone any better and the grass performed great. It was just amazing to be a part of and to see everyone here. The response we have gotten has been great.”
Keean White – MLSJ Co-founder
On hopes for the final week of MLSJ:
“It has been incredible to put on 10 CSI5* competitions in North America. The support from the Major League and individual teams has been amazing. It was great to see the riders believing in it and I was fortunate to have had amazing friendships with the majority of these riders over the past 10 years and it took them to believe in this project as well. We are the most grateful to be here today. The riders stood behind it and supported it even if they had questions. They wanted to support the sport and have given us a great opportunity. The partners in this league are incredible and I think we have amazing opportunities in the next five to 10 years to make this the number one circuit in the world.”
Final Results – $230,000 Adequan Major League Show Jumping Adequan Grand Prix CSI 5*
1) Cassio Rivetti (BRA) & Alanine De Vains – 0 / 0 -43.87
2) Conor Swail (IRL) & Count Me In – 0 / 0 – 43.92
3) Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) & Bennys Legacy – 0 / 0 – 44.86
Source: Press Release by Tori Bilas / Phelps Media Group for Desert International Horse Park
Photo: © Phelps Sports / Tori Bilas
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