EQUESTRIAN

The desert played host to the West's best show jumpers during the $53,000 HITS Grand Prix CSI2*, a North American Western League FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix.

Seventeen combinations were entered to jump the course at HITS Thermal Desert Horse Park and designed by Florencio Hernandez of Mexico City. The only double clear round was achieved by New Zealand's Duncan McFarlane and Mr. Whoopy. The 10 year old Hanoverian stallion, Contendro - St. Pr. Haupstubuch Whoopy owned by Simone Coxe handled all the night well to finish in front of Otavio Penedo and Carando Z in 2nd, Karl Cook and Jonkheer Z in 3rd.

" The course tonight was tough, and as always the ring is quite difficult to jump in due to its small size, but the 84 seconds allowed wasn't a problem tonight at all. "

In front of a packed house in the tented indoor arena it was a great win for Duncan who was recently named on the High Performance Showjumping 2014 squad.

1st Mr Whoopy - Duncan McFarlane - Simone Cox 0/0/37.39

2nd ES Carando Z - Otavio Penedo - Otavio Penedo 0/4/34.76

3rd Johkeer Z - Karl Cook - Signe Ostby 0/4/35.21

4th Caballo - Helen McNaught - Helen McNaught Show Jumping 0/4/37.22

5th Utopia - John Perez - John Perez 0/4/37.61

6th Uno de Laubry - Karl Cook - Signe Ostby 4/71.01

7th Lariccello Helen McNaught - Alison Heafey 4/79.75

8th Katie Riddle - John McConnell - Rancho Corazon 4/80.32

9th Uitteraard - Michele Spadone - Alejandro Rodal 4/80.55

10th Warco Van De Halhoeve - Ali Nilforushan - Katie Harris 48/75.34

11th Green Sleepes Vioco - Mark Watring - Horseworks etc 8/79.02

12th Taunus - Francie Steinwedell-Carvin - Prentiss Partners 12/73.82