Desert International Horse Park (DIHP) is home to some incredible young talent, and that was made even more apparent Thursday afternoon when 18-year-old Elisa Broz took the win in the $30,000 FarmVet 1.45m Open Classic.
Aboard Tinkerbell, Broz had a late draw in the order of go, and the time to catch was Mark Kinsella’s aboard Quality H at the time. The young superstar piloted her own 13-year-old Mecklenberger mare to an unbeatable time of 62.235 seconds over Manuel Esparza’s single-round track. Kinsella ultimately took second aboard Ben Asselin’s mount, while Conor Swail took third with Casturano.
“She’s amazing; I love her,” Broz commented on Tinkerbell, who jumped her through the FEI North American Youth Championships in 2022. “She’s super good at the speed [format] and super quick naturally. She’s a total fireball in the ring but the sweetest creature in the barn. She holds a very special place in my heart.”
Familiar face at DIHP
Broz has been building an impressive string of horses over the years and always returns to DIHP to take advantage of the robust schedule and build her resume of accolades. Together with Tinkerbell, she’s reaching new heights. “She’s [always] game,” Broz continued. “She always wants to get to the other side and wants to jump clear. She’s just as competitive as I am.”
Over Thursday’s course, Broz knew where her mare would shine and rode the exact plan she needed to to get the quick, clear round and top the 39 entries. “She naturally builds throughout the course so at the beginning I made sure to stay tight and tidy. She has a naturally quick stride and is fast over the jumps. She starts to open up close to the end so I just let her go. She’s naturally careful so I can let her do her thing,” Broz explained.
Big plans
Continuing through the weeks of FEI and National show jumping, Broz has big plans for her string of horses and is one to look out for no matter the class or level. “I’m very fortunate that my parents support me and I have a great trainer, Cassio [Rivetti],” she commented. “The USEF pathway has really been my thing! I’m fortunate to have some incredible horses that are teaching me the ropes which is always important. I have some young ones now too which is really exciting.”
Aside from learning a great deal from Rivetti, Broz also had the opportunity to attend the USEF Horsemastership Clinic in Wellington, FL, in January. Her time away from the show ring was well worth its while, equipping her with knowledge from the best of the best in show jumping.
“One thing that McLain [Ward] said [at the clinic] is that our sport has changed in that we ride forward through the corners and balance at the fence,” she remarked. “That’s something I took and am implementing here, and something Cassio has also said to me multiple times. Hearing that and thinking about it a little more has made a difference.”
Source: Press Release Desert International Horse Park
Photo: © High Desert Sport Photo