Forty-eight entries started over the first round speed course, and nine completed clear rounds. Second place went to Mackenzie Drazan (USA) and Waliba VDL in 70.85 seconds. Third place was presented to Jessica Mendoza (GBR) riding Horst van de Mispelaere with a time of 72.42 seconds. Lauren Fischer (USA) took fourth and fifth place honors, guiding Tosca de Feugre through the times in 73.74 seconds and stopping the clock in 75.83 seconds riding My Pleasure, both horses under the ownership of Cheryl Fischer.
“He’s back!” Deslauriers smiled after Saturday’s win. “He has been on a break since the National Horse Show (in November). Besides yesterday’s warm-up class, this is his first real class back this year, so I really could not be happier. He is really happy to be showing, and I am so happy with him.”
Deslauriers (17) is a full-time student in New York City and travels to compete in Wellington every weekend. She trains with her father, Olympian Mario Deslauriers, and mother, former international show jumper Lisa Deslauriers. She has been a top junior rider, as well as a winner of many Under 25 and international competitions throughout North America.
Many of Deslauriers’ victories have come aboard Hester, a 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Wandor van de Mispelaere x Palestro vd Begijnakker) that she has ridden for almost four years. Saturday’s course caused problems for many competitors, but Deslauriers and Hester’s experience together was a great advantage.
“I thought it was a pretty steep track, especially for the welcome,” she noted. “The last few jumps were quite big and the double liverpools definitely caught a few people. Luckily, Hester is quite brave, so I do not really have to worry about that. There was a careful plank, and the short turn to the double in front of the bank caught a bunch of people as well. Throughout the course there were a lot of tough places.
“He really thrives on grass fields,” Deslauriers detailed. “He has a huge stride, and he just gets to open up, and really show what he can do. I really just stay out of the way and let him do his thing.”
Deslauriers has also been showing some young horses that she is bringing along with her father this winter and hopes to move up to compete with Hester in some FEI classes now that the gelding is back in action.
The Hollow Creek Farm Under 25 Grand Prix Series, presented by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte, continues with its $35,000 Hollow Creek Farm Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by Entrust Capital, on Sunday, February 19.
