 |
Nicole Shahinian-Simpson Jumps Into First
Place In First Grand Prix Back In The Saddle |
Nicole Shahinian-Simpson,
Westlake Village, CA, won her first grand prix back in the saddle since
the birth of her son, Ty, who is now three months old. Fifty-seven horses
contested the $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix, and seven managed clear rounds over
Leopoldo Palacios' course. Simpson garnered clear rounds with her two veterans,
El Campeon's Jo Jo and El Campeon's Cirka Z. "The horses haven't shown
since Spruce Meadows last summer, but I've had them for awhile so I know
them well." Because of her pregnancy, Simpson hung up her boots after
Spruce Meadows until returning to the Grand Prix ring this week at the Indio
Desert Circuit.
Knowing her horses
well paid off as Simpson piloted El Campeon's Cirka Z to a clear, fast
round. In fact, only Simpson and Richard Spooner, Burbank, CA, managed
clear rounds in the Jump-Off. Misti Cassar, Malibu, CA, and Diamond Go
Go were first in the Jump-Off. They had a rail coming out of the combination
and stopped the clock at 45.948. Simpson and El Campeon's Jo Jo went next
and they accrued four faults over the Ariat vertical and just squeaked
past Cassar with a time of 45.945, only three one thousandths of a second
faster.
Richard Spooner and
Prestige logged a clear round with a cautious time of 45.489. Ray Texel,
Simi Valley, CA, and Fleur looked like they were taking over the lead
with sharp turns and speed, but on the long run to the final fence, a
large oxer in front of the audience, Fleur just clipped the back rail
for four faults. However, they had the time at 41.890. John Pearce of
Stouffville, Ontario, Canada, tried for the win with Jaco's Demeure, but
a rail at the midway through the Jump-Off course ended his chances.
Simpson returned on
Cirka Z, and the bay stallion got a little hung up after jumping out of
the combination. The feisty stallion is well known for showing his displeasure
by bucking. "I was just hoping I could get one real stride out of
him before the next fence so I could find a distance," laughed Simpson.
"I don't worry too much when bucks because I know he will jump anything!"
She finished the course with the rails up and a time of 44.311.
Spooner on his second
mount, Jewel Thief, was the only one who could beat Simpson, but after
two rails, Spooner pulled up to save his horse and concede the victory.
"I am really
pleased with both Jo Jo and 'Z' today. They jumped great," commented
Simpson after her win. "I am also excited about El Campeon's Petri,
my newest horse. They are all great horses, but they couldn't be more
opposite one another. After I ride one I just have to stop a moment and
chill before getting on the next one."
This Sunday features
the $50,000 Cosequin Grand Prix, the first of four World Cup Qualifying
classes at the HITS Indio Desert Circuit.
$25,000 Ariat Grand
Prix - Friday, February 2, 2002
Indio Desert Circuit II - Indio, CA
Leopoldo Palacios, Course Designer
Place Horse Rider
Owner Prize Money Rd 1/ Rd 2
Faults/ JO Time
1st El Campeon's Nicole Shahinian- El Campeon Farms $7,500 0/0 44.311
Cirka Z Simpson
2nd Prestige Richard Spooner Hanover Meadows $5,000 0/0 45.489
3rd Fleur Ray Texel Beverly Hills Equestrian $3,500 0/4 41.890
Center
4th Jamco's Demeure John Pearce Forest View Farms $2,250 0/4 42.323
5th El Campeon's Jo Jo Nicole Shahinian- El Campeon Farms $1,500 0/4 45.945
Simpson
6th Diamond Go Go Misti Cassar Misti Cassar $1,125 0/4 45.948
7th Jewel Thief Richard Spooner Daniel Damen $875 0/VW --
Upcoming Grand Prix show jumping and special events during HITS Indio
Desert Circuit include:
February 3 1:00PM
$50,000 Cosequin Grand Prix
February 10 11AM-1PM Kids' Day
February 10 1:00PM $75,000 Bayer/USET Grand Prix
February 24 1:00PM $50,000 Rio Vista Grand Prix
March 3 11AM-1PM Seniors' Day
March 3 1:00PM $50,000 King Shavings Grand Prix
Presented by Dyson & Dyson
March 10 11AM-2PM First Annual "Fiesta Day"
March 10 2:00PM $150,000 Ford Grand Prix of the Desert
|
