New Zealander McFarlane Hits it big in the Desert GP World Cup

The desert played host to the West’s best show jumpers last night during the $53,000 HITS Grand Prix CSI2*, a North American Western League FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix.

Seventeen horses and riders signed up to jump the track set inside the tight on space indoor at HITS Thermal Desert Horse Park. Accurately designed by Florencio Hernandez of Mexico City, the course allowed just one double clear round, that of winners New Zealand’s Duncan McFarlane and Mr Whoopy. 

The 10 year old Hanoverian stallion [Contendro x St. Pr. Haupstubuch Whoopy] owned by Simone Coxe is always a crowd favorite, and they handled all the challenges of the night well to finish in front of Otavio Penedo and Carando Z in 2nd, and Karl Cook and Jonkheer Z in 3rd.

“The course tonight was tough, and as always the ring is quite difficult to jump in due to its small size,” commented McFarlane. “But the time allowed (84 seconds) wasn’t a problem tonight at all.”

A full house packed into the tented indoor at Thermal during a blustery evening in the desert. This was the second World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix in as many weeks, and the fences were set tall and wide to meet 1.60m WCQ specifications.

The tricky spot on course came on the last line towards home, a wide green oxer at fence 11 to a skinny vertical that rode in seven or 8 strides and was placed right in front of the out gate. This same line made a repeat appearance in the jump-off and McFarlane was the only rider out of five who returned who was able to leave it in the cups over the two rounds.

This was another great win for Duncan who was recently named on the High Performance Showjumping 2014 squad and congratulations to Mr Whoopy's owner Simone Cox of the USA.

$53,000 HITS Desert Classis Grand Prix
North American Western League WORLD CUP QUALIFIER
1st Mr Whoopy - Duncan McFarlane - Simone Cox   0/0/37.39
2nd ES Carando Z - Otavio Penedo - Otavio Penedo 0/4/34.76
3rd Johkeer Z - Karl Cook - Signe Ostby 0/4/35.21
4th Caballo - Helen McNaught - Helen McNaught Show Jumping 0/4/37.22
5th Utopia - John Perez - John Perez 0/4/37.61
6th Uno de Laubry - Karl Cook - Signe Ostby 4/71.01
7th Lariccello  Helen McNaught - Alison Heafey 4/79.75
8th Katie Riddle - John McConnell - Rancho Corazon 4/80.32
9th Uitteraard - Michele Spadone - Alejandro Rodal 4/80.55
10th Warco Van De Halhoeve - Ali Nilforushan - Katie Harris 48/75.34
11th Green Sleepes Vioco - Mark Watring - Horseworks etc 8/79.02
12th Taunus - Francie Steinwedell-Carvin - Prentiss Partners 12/73.82

Story & Photo: Equestrian Sport NZ