Joie Gatlin and Cadiz Cruise to $20,000 Frank & Eileen Winners Circle Hunter Stake Win
At just 7 years old, Cadiz bested a field of 22 of Desert International Horse Park’s top hunters to win the $20,000 Winners Circle Hunter Stake, presented by Frank & Eileen. Joie Gatlin piloted the Westphalian gelding to a score of 92 to take home the victory in the class held on February 7, at Desert Circuit 5.
Before contesting the Saturday night featured event, all horse and rider combinations had to first qualify by finishing either first or second in any rated hunter class at 3’6” or above during the week’s World Championship Hunter Rider competition. Those qualified entries were then invited to take on Saturday night’s one-round course, set under the lights of the Grand Prix Stadium and designed by Kevin Holowack.
After qualifying as the champion of the 3’6” Green Hunters, Cadiz continued to rise to the occasion.
“I think he’s reincarnated; I think he’s done this before in another lifetime because he’s just always been so straightforward!” said Gatlin of Cadiz, who has been in her program since he was 5 years old. “I didn’t have to teach him to do lead changes. I didn’t have to teach him to throw those amazing jumps that he throws. I just have to keep him fit and keep him happy. Not overdoing it is the key with him because he can be like a child and when he’s tired; he gets very grumpy.”
Gatlin continued, “He has been one of the most rewarding young horses to develop. I’m just so grateful for his owner, Cathy Morris-Schmitt. She’s a longtime horsewoman and an extremely accomplished, great rider herself. Her husband, Gary Schmitt, always supports us with cheering from home, and they were all here tonight, which made it even more special!”
With Gatlin and Cadiz taking the win, second place went to the veteran partnership of Michael Dennehy and Hulla-Balou. Dennehy rode the 16-year-old Westphalian gelding, owned by Dana Vollbracht, to a score of 90. Finishing in a close third place on a score of 89.5 were Halie Robinson and Simba de Vinck, owned by Big Picture LLC.
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