Nineteen entries tested the track set by Manuel Esparza (MEX), with five horse-and-rider pairs soaring clear into the jump-off. Shark, a 2008 Anglo European Sport Horse gelding (Arko x Pilot), is a lot more like a dog than his name, Willis remarked. "He's a personal favorite of mine. He's my pet!"
Despite his friendly and easy-going nature, Shark and Willis were predators on course, earning the victory by just .047 of a second. "The course was tough enough, but it was good. The designer had us quite open in the jump off as well," Willis elaborated. "It was very tight and I don't know really where I shaved off time, but I think maybe I did one less to the last. He's naturally a very quick horse, so I don't have to push too hard to go fast."
For Willis, the day's success was a redeeming moment for one of his favorite rides. "Unfortunately I haven't ridden so well for the last couple of classes with him - he was actually seventh in the [$132,000 Adequan® Grand Prix CSI 3*] here, which was super. I had a few mishaps with him, which were unfortunate, and so he was a little bit out of confidence last night and under lights," Willis explained. "It was nice to give him a smaller round and get his confidence back today. He's always a good horse to have."