Thermal, California, USA – December 03, 2022 – Kaitlin Campbell (USA)was not intimidated by the level of speed the other jump-off contenders had reached when her turn came in the $50,000 Brown Advisory Grand Prix Saturday night of Desert Holiday I. Alec Lawler (USA) had held the lead with For Gold, and Campbell came in on her partner of three and a half years, SWS Training & Sales’ Paulina de L’Escaut, and made the class her own.

“Alan Wade is my favorite course designer,” Campbell said after her win. “I’ve won the most of my grand prixs with him building. [Palina] wasn’t showing FEI this week so I made a big stink about showing this class tonight because I knew Alan was building and I knew I had my fastest horse. I knew I better go in and at least try to win.”

Karl Cook (USA) had set the pace earlier with Signe Otsby’s Fecybelle and ended up in third as the class drew to a close. But Campbell’s time of 31.448 was nearly one second faster than any other competitor, awarding her the top spot after all six jump-off contenders had gone.

“I saw Karl Cook go and he’s always really fast. But my horse is just super fast across the ground. Her legs just move so fast that I know if I go as fast as she can go I have a good chance of winning,” Campbell explained.

The rider for the DIHP Roadrunners has been traveling the Major League Show Jumping tour all season and had to miss the National Sunshine Series to be in Mexico for the tour. “All the imnprovements are super,” she said of her return to DIHP. “The horses are jumping really well. The grass field looks amazing. Palina will jump for Major League next week so this was a great setup.”

Final Results – $50,000 Brown Advisory Grand Prix

1. Kaitlin Campbell (USA) & Palina de L’Escaut / SWS Training & Sales – 0/ 0 – 31.448

2. Alec Lawler (USA) & For Gold / Alec Lawler – 0 / 0 – 32.413

3. Karl Cook (USA) & Fecybelle / Signe Otsby – 0 / 0 – 33.120

Source: Press Release by Tori Bilas for Desert International Horse Park

Photos: © ESI Photography