Edited Press Release
Thermal, CA – November 3, 2024 – The Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships at National Sunshine Series 1 concluded on Sunday, November 3, with the crowning of two new individual champions. In the 1.40m/1.45m Individual Championship, the gold medal went to Tali Dejong on Duke of Doel, and in the 1.30m/1.35m Individual Championship, Crystal Nelson rode Don Juan Des Isles to the win.
The path to the top of the individual podium at the Desert International Horse Park began on Friday with team championship competition. The two-round team championship event also counted as the first two phases of the individual championship, with riders carrying their scores from Friday into Sunday morning’s finale.
Heading into Sunday, Dejong sat in second place in the 1.40m/1.45m on a score of just two time faults. By the end of the third phase, Dejong and Duke of Doel proved to be the only duo to not knock a rail down all weekend, earning them the win.
The fight for the silver medal spot came down to a jump-off between Maddee Morley and Germaine Dougherty, each tied on eight faults. Ultimately, the silver went to Morley aboard Champions Legue, and Dougherty and Kard Trick took home the bronze.
“This experience has been nothing short of amazing,” said Dejong, of Golden, CO. “I am so happy that the USHJA has put on this championship out on the West Coast. I think it’s a wonderful addition. I did it last year, and I’m very happy to have moved up and won it this year.”
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Watch the Winner
Ben Asselin and NKH Carrido Make Winning Debut in $30,000 Marshall + Sterling 1.40m Open Classic
National Sunshine Series 1 marked Ben Asselin and NKH Carrido’s show debut, but watching the pair clinch the win in the $30,000 Marshall + Sterling 1.40m Open Classic, one would never guess it was a new partnership.
Asselin just began riding the 14-year-old Danish Warmblood stallion, now owned by Asselin’s Attache Stables, a month ago, but on Sunday, November 3, at the Desert International Horse Park, they looked every bit a veteran duo.
After navigating the first-round, Anderson Lima-designed course without fault, Asselin and NKH Carrido joined 11 other entries in qualifying to come back for the jump-off.
There, Asselin had the advantage of returning to the Grand Prix Arena as the penultimate rider and knowing that Shawn Casady and Castelissimo had just moments before set the time to beat at 40.408 seconds. Asselin also had the advantage of NKH Carrido’s sizeable stride.
“I think I did one less from one to two than anybody else,” said Asselin. “I could leave out a stride going to the double, and then the last three jumps were on a big gallop, so I just utilized the massive stride that he has and tried to stay out of his way.”
That plan worked as “Carrido” crossed the finish in 40.012 seconds to narrowly take the victory. With Casady and Castelissimo ultimately taking home second place, third place went to Kyle King and Diamond on a time of 40.748 seconds.
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