9 Nov 2014
Week II of the National Sunshine Series at HITS Desert Horse Park is well underway, complete with seven active competition rings, VIP socials, and classic Fall desert temperatures.
An impressive 63 horse and rider pairs had their eyes on Thursday evening’s $35,000 FEI Sunshine Welcome prize. However, just enough Round 1 faults kept the majority at arm’s length from the top six. Several contenders clocked just split seconds beyond the time allowed so one-fault- rides put five more in ribbons after the jump-off riders.
Jos Verlooy and Farfelu de la Pomme commenced the jump off, followed by Lauren Hester and Abigal, both of which fell victim to downed rails. Third to enter the ring was a hopeful Bliss Heers aboard Prado K, who cleared the course in a swift 42.85. Tensions rose and spectators grew quiet as Audrey Coulter piloting Acorte charged to a clean round, besting Heers, with a remarkable 36.93.
The fifth jump off attempt from Belgium native, Harrie Smolders and Enjoy Louis, began and onlookers knew the chase was on. The seemingly aerodynamic duo secured their fate with a quick, clear round in 35.20.
With one still to go, Smolders was sitting pretty, but not in the clear yet. Enrique Gonzalez and Quilebo Du Tillard, of Mexico, went last, finishing with a time of 34.37 but an unlucky rail at Fence 14 left them in fourth place.
| Place | Horse | Owner | Rider | Prize | Rd. 1 Faults | JO Faults | JO Time |
| 1 | Enjoy Louis | Axel Verlooy | Harrie Smolders | 11,550 | 0 | 0 | 35.20 |
| 2 | Acorte | Copernicus Stables, LLC | Audrey Coulter | 7,000 | 0 | 0 | 36.93 |
| 3 | Prado K | Bridgeside Farms L.L.C. | Bliss Heers | 5,250 | 0 | 0 | 42.85 |
| 4 | Quilebo Du Tillard | Enrique Gonzalez | Enrique Gonzalez | 3,500 | 0 | 4 | 34.37 |
| 5 | Farfelu de la Pomme | Axel Verlooy | Jos Verlooy | 2,100 | 0 | 4 | 35.71 |
| 6 | Abigail | Hester Equestrian, Inc | Lauren Hester | 1,575 | 0 | 8 | 35.05 |
| 7 | Imothep | Hyperion Stud, LLC | Darragh Kenny | 1,050 | 1 | - | - |
| 8 | Dutch Amouretta | Silverstar Farms Ltd | Brenda Riddell | 875 | 1 | - | - |
| 9 | Casseur de Prix | Granville Equine | Jenni McAllister | 700 | 1 | - | - |
| 10 | Balou du Reventon | Liubov Kochetova | Liubov Kochetova | 700 | 1 | - | - |
| 11 | Calero | Neaulani Farms | Allyssa Hecht | 350 | 1 | - | - |
| 12 | Cos I Can | Iron Works Partners | Reed Kessler | 350 | 4 | - | - |
Source: HITS Shows
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