THERMAL, CA (February 8, 2013) – The Grand Prix Ring at HITS Thermal was set with 15 jumping efforts for 42 horses yesterday, and the outcome came down to fractions of a second. In an electrifying jump-off, Hidden Hills’ Ashlee Bond and her own Cadett 7 delivered the necessary speed and claimed victory in the $33,000 HITS Desert Classic, presented by Zoetis.
Course designer Florencio Hernandez of Mexico City, Mexico had 14 advance to the jump-off and 10 go double clear, but it was Bond and Cadett who sent sparks flying with their blazing pace and a final time of 43.33 seconds. “That’s Cadett doing what he’s really talented at; being able to run fast and leave the jumps up,” Bond said immediately following the class. “I can just pick up a nice gallop, and off he goes! He turns decently well, and he loves his job.”
Both Olympian Will Simpson of Westlake Village, California riding Monarch International’s Acorina and Brazil’s Eduardo Menezes on his own Caruschka gave Bond a run for the prize money – Simpson was second in 43.45 seconds and Menezes third in 43.86 seconds.