The first week of competition at HITS Desert Horse Park had a heart-pounding conclusion in the $50.000 EMO Grand Prix. California rider Mandy Porter (Con Pilot) snatched victory from Mexico's Enrique Gonzales (Quilebo Du Tillard). For a long time Gonzales sat comfortably in first, but that was untill Mandy Porter entered the arena. She was next-to-last in the ring among 32 starters and last to go in a jump-off that saw 12 advance fault-free past round one. Gonzales (Quilebo Du Tillard) ended his ride in a time of 40:64 seconds. Only Canadian rider John Pearce (Chianto) was faster at a blazing 39:69 seconds, but a rail put him of contention.
There would be no clear riders under 42 seconds for the remaining rounds until Porter shaved 0,3 seconds off Gonzalez's time. In total 8 combinations were without faults in both rides. Third best time was for Jenn Serek and Helen McNaught's Elionora, finishing the jump-off in a time of 40:94 seconds.
The $50.000 EMO Grand Prix was the second opportunity Desert Circuit I participants had to qualify for the AIG Thermal $1 Million Grand Prix (presented by Lamborghini), taking place March 17. There are 13 additional qualifiers during Desert Circuit weeks II-VI. A Wildcard Grand Prix during week VII presents the only possible way to earn a sport without qualifying.
source: equnews.be/ HITS - picture: Flying Horse Photography
