Eduardo Menezes Masters the $32,000 CSI2* IDA Development Speed
Edited Press Release
Thermal, CA – December 5, 2024 – With top riders from around the globe all gathered at the Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, CA, Desert Holiday 1 is truly a battle of the best, and on day one of CSI5* competition, it was McLain Ward who came out on top. The U.S. Olympian piloted First Lady to victory in the $62,500 CSI5* BRAINJAVA MLSJ Qualifier on Thursday, December 5, 2024.
Ward and First Lady, owned by Robin Parsky, were one of 42 entries to take on the first-round course, set in the Grand Prix Stadium by course designer Olaf Petersen Jr. From there, the field was narrowed to an impressive list of 10 top contenders to return for the jump-off.
Israeli Olympian Ashlee Bond was the first to come back, and she laid down a lightning-fast time to beat of 40.75 seconds aboard Donatello 141. That time kept Bond on top of the leaderboard until the third to last to return, Lillie Keenan. With Kick On, Keenan crossed the finish in 40.33 seconds to narrowly move into the lead. That would not last for long, however, as Keenan’s coach, Ward, was still to come. As the last entry to fly over the final vertical, Ward clinched the win with a time of 39.50 seconds.
“First Lady has been incredible all season,” said Ward of the 11-year-old Oldenburg mare. “She’s top three in almost everything she’s gone in all over the world, so I’m very proud of how she’s come along at this level. She jumped a brilliant first round today. It was difficult enough; [it’s a] strong field out here in the desert. In the jump-off, I got a little lucky to beat one of my students, Lillie Keenan. Sometimes you need a little luck on your side. Lady’s a very quick horse, so she’s always going to be close on the time. I got a pretty lucky rub in two spots, but there were plenty of classes where I had an unlucky one, so I’ll take it!”
With the Thursday win under his belt, Ward will next set his sights on Friday night’s $200,000 Major League Show Jumping Team Competition, sponsored by ClipMyHorse.TV. There, Ward will jump First Lady as part of the home team, the Desert International Horse Park Roadrunners.
“The Major League team format is exciting,” said Ward. “It allows for different levels of riders and horses to compete in a really competitive sport; it’s easy to follow. I think it’s grown in popularity over the last several seasons. I was part of the team from the Desert Horse Park out here the inaugural year, and I’m proud to be part of their group. They’re wonderful supporters of our sport, and I look forward to doing it again in the future.”
Ward concluded, “I love coming to California. My mom’s family is from out here. I have family out here, so it’s always nice to visit. I feel very at home here. The job that’s been done with this Desert Horse Park facility is first rate. I hope we see the same changes coming in Wellington where we’re based in the winter. I certainly think you’ll see the top riders out here more and more often!”
To view the complete results of the $62,500 CSI5* BRAINJAVA MLSJ Qualifier, click here.
Words From the Winner
Eduardo Menezes Masters the $32,000 CSI2* IDA Development Speed
Brazil’s Eduardo Menezes had both a late spot in the order and his longtime partner Calypso des Matis on his side as he jumped to the win in Thursday’s $32,000 CSI2* IDA Development Speed.
A field of 73 entries took on the CSI2* kick-off class at Desert Holiday 1, which proved to be a hotly contested race against the clock.
When Menezes and Calypso des Matis entered the Grand Prix Stadium as the 65th to jump, the time to beat had been set at 62.93 seconds by Ireland’s James Chawke and Daido van’t Ruytershof Z. With Calypso des Matis’ fast foot speed, Menezes blazed through the timers in 61.58 seconds to ultimately take home the win.
Narrowly edging his way into third place with a time of 63.83 seconds was Luis Fernando Larrazabal aboard Belle de Muze, while Laura Kraut and Tres Bien Z took home fourth on a time of 63.85 seconds.
“I’m lucky I have a very fast horse and that I was late in the draw, so I could see a bit what people were doing,” said Menezes. “I think we did a bit all the same [track], but I have a fast horse, so I ended up in front of the others.”
Menezes has been partnered with Calypso des Matis for several years, having made his FEI debut with the 12-year-old Selle Français gelding back in 2020.
“He’s really a real winner in these 1.45-1.50m speeds,” said Menezes. “He’s super fast, super careful. I can always count on him. He has his own mind, so he loves to go his own way. So, you need to convince him to do what you want, making him believe that that’s what he wants!”
For full results of the $32,000 CSI2* IDA Development Speed, click here.
