Kasey Ament and Gaia Triumph in the $49,999 Grand Prix at Las Vegas
Kasey Ament and Gaia. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
The $49,999 Grand Prix in the 1.40m category, held on Friday, 15th November at the Las Vegas National Horse Show, showcased top-level riders and horses competing over a course designed by Anderson Lima. Hosted at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa, the event was sponsored by Barnwalkers and IDA Development.
Kasey Ament claimed victory aboard Gaia, a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare. The pair completed the jump-off with a clean round in 35.646 seconds, setting a time that none of the following competitors could surpass. Ament was the first to tackle the jump-off and chose a strategy highlighting her mare’s agility. “I decided to take an extra stride in the long lines,” Ament explained, “but Gaia is so fast and responsive that it didn’t cost me any time. I focused on keeping a smooth rhythm without pushing too hard.”
Maddee Morley, riding Champions League, secured second place with a clean round in 36.542 seconds, delivering an excellent performance that saw her ahead of several other competitors. Amanda Gomez, in third, rode Charly-Ann, but despite posting the best time in the jump-off with 34.934 seconds, she incurred four penalties after a rail down on one of the jumps.
1.40m Grand Prix Results
- Kasey Ament on Gaia – 35.646 seconds
- Maddee Morley on Champions League – 36.542 seconds
- Amanda Gomez on Charly-Ann – 34.934 seconds (4 penalties)
Ament, who regularly competes on the West Coast, expressed her admiration for course designer Anderson Lima’s work. “Every time I compete in an event where Lima designs the courses, my horses always come out better,” she said. For Gaia, who has been with Ament for five years, this victory marks another milestone in the career of a mare described by her rider as “the most successful, brave, and fast” she has ever had.
USHJA Affiliate Championships Results
In parallel to the Grand Prix, the USHJA Affiliate Championships were held, with riders from 35 US affiliate organisations taking part. Key results include:
- USHJA Affiliate .80m Children’s Jumper Championship: Emma Wust Head on P2’s In The Pocket, representing the Indiana Hunter Jumper Association, claimed the title with a first-place finish in the welcome class and a third-place in the two-phase category.
- USHJA Affiliate .70m Children’s Jumper Championship: Zoey Snyder on Cotill, representing the Pacific Coast Horse Show Association, took first place, dominating the two-phase class with a lead of more than three seconds.
- USHJA Affiliate .80m Adult Jumper Championship: Cregan Ortner, aboard Big Medicine, representing the Colorado Hunter Jumper Association, won both the welcome class and the two-phase category.
- USHJA Affiliate .70m Adult Jumper Championship: The victory went to Tara Povalish on Highball, representing the Yellowstone Hunter Jumper Association.
These championships provided a significant opportunity for affiliate riders to compete on a national stage, with excellent technical levels and great enthusiasm displayed by the participants.
Upcoming Events
The Las Vegas National Horse Show, continuing until Sunday, 17th November, will feature more jumper, equitation, and hunter competitions. For full event results and further details, visit the official website of the Desert International Horse Park.
Source: Desert International Horse Park Press Release
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