Edited Press Release
Mark Kinsella was a force to be reckoned with in Saturday afternoon’s $75,000 Adequan® Grand Prix at Desert Holiday III. Back on the grass field, the Irishman topped a competitive field of horse-and-rider combinations aboard Ben Asselin’s Quality H, taking top honors and leading the victory lap.
Only three pairs navigated Joey Rycroft’s first-round track fault free, with Nicky Galligan being the first to do so with Javas Miss Jordan. Joining him right after and guaranteeing a jump-off was Kinsella’s student Kyara Semrau with Carola Z. Kinsella had the final spot in the jump-off, with the advantage of knowing just what needed to be done.
“I know Nicky Galligan, with his mare, is always wicked fast, so I knew I had to be quick everywhere,” Kinsella remarked on his strategy in the short course. “My horse has a very big stride, so I knew my numbers. I left out one to the combination and I left out one to the last. I thought if I did all that and I stuck to my plan I’d be there, and it paid off.”
Galligan took second, going clear in the jump-off with Javas Miss Jordan, while Kyara Semrau took third place aboard Carola Z on another double-clear effort.
Quality H earned Kinsella a big win during National Sunshine Series, and since then the horse has been competing at the CSI5* level with Kinsella in the irons.
“Quality’s been excellent,” he continued about the 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding (FRH Quaid x Stakkato). “He’s had a couple heavy weeks. Last Saturday he was third in the CSI5* 1.50m class, which was excellent. I just wanted to give him one more outing here on the grass. As luck played out, they had an extra show here with this nice Grand Prix, and it was a really nice way to finish the year.”
Nineteen-year-old Semrau had an emotional day in the $75,000 Adequan® Grand Prix, taking third place overall and winning the Equifit U25 Classic.
“I’ve had her for four and a half years now,” Semrau said of Carola Z. “She was off for a year and I think time off did her well because she’s jumping amazing now. Our partnership has grown, and my riding has gotten better too with the help of Mark and the team. I love her so much. She’s my heart horse. It means the world to me [to have her back]. When I ride her I feel like we have such a partnership and I’m so excited that she’s back.”
Final Results: $75,000 Adequan® Grand Prix
1. Quality H / Mark Kinsella / Ben Asselin / 0/0/35.654
2. Javas Miss Jordan / Nicky Galligan / Nicky Galligan / 0/0/36.243
3. Carola Z / Kyara Semrau / Kyara Semrau / 0/0/37.808
4. Odysseus / Kyle King / Patricia Vasey / 4/77.859
5. La Capitol / Mark Kinsella / Aleron LLC / 4/79.529
6. Gucci Musterd / Bruno Diniz Das Neves / Laura Khorshid / 4/80.953
7. Conrado 12 / Ali Ramsay / Ramsay Equestrian Inc / 4/81.231
8. Madame Unplugged / Hannah McLaughlin / Hannah McLaughlin / 5/88.424
9. Halifax VDM / Nicki Wilcox / Marjorie Martin / 6/85.602
10. Chacco Latte’ / Alexis Taylor / Aleron LLC / 8.80.856
11. Macho-Blue PS / Katie Harris / Katie Harris / 8/82.584
12. Gillion ES / Michael Williamson / Michael Williamson / 10/85.758
This Post Brought to You by:
The Pacific Coast Horse Shows Association (PCHA)
The Pacific Coast Horse Shows Association (PCHA), a non-profit corporation, has as its main purpose the promotion and development of the sport of horse showing, primarily in the Hunter/Jumper, Western and Reining disciplines. These objectives are accomplished by setting the standards for showing on the West Coast and approving shows that meet these criteria.
Founded in 1946, the Pacific Coast Horse Shows Association promotes the interests of owners and exhibitors, cooperates with exhibitors, officials, and management of competition, publicizes and advertises PCHA sanctioned shows, encourages and assists owners, exhibitors, and breeders of horses to maintain, develop and improve the quality of horses of the Hunter, Jumper, Western and Reining divisions.
