John Pearce victorious in the Ariat Grand Prix at Indio

The Canadians enjoyed on Friday, a break from the sub-zero northern temperatures as they heated up the competition during the summer-like January afternoon at HITS Desert Horse Park in California. John Pearce, of Stouffville, Ontario, popped the cork and took a victory lap aboard his long-time mount, Champagne, after winning the season’s opening $30,000 Ariat Grand Prix Championship. Jill Henselwood, of Oxford Mills, Ontario, iced Canada’s cake aboard her mount, Black Ice, finishing less than one second behind Pearce in the jump-off.

Pearce and his 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding have entertained equestrian enthusiasts and proved their ability in the ring for more than 4 years including some 25 Grand Prix wins and a position on the Canadian Equestrian Team. As his sole rider, Pearce seems to share a quiet confidence and genuine communication with Champagne in the ring and the pair kicked off this season in signature form with sound poise and precision maneuvering.

Designer, William “Buddy” Brown, created a formidable test that sent the first 15 horse and rider combinations back to their stables with faults on the board before Kristen Coe and Conejo finally cracked the code. After her clear round, the floodgates opened, and 6 more riders posted faultless scores.

Henselwood was fourth to go clean aboard her 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Black Ice, preceding Pearce in the order of go. She remarked on the course’s initially challenging questions: “For awhile it was looking like nobody was actually going to answer the questions of the course.

During the jump-off, Henselwood and Black Ice flawlessly navigated the fences in 40.77 seconds, but lost 1 second to Pearce and Champagne’s 39.78-second finish.

But beyond the questions of this course’s stood the undeniable presence of crowd favorites, Richard Spooner and his renowned grey mount, Robinson. “Robinson, by far, was the biggest threat of the group because he’s so experienced and is an extremely fast horse,” said Pearce. “The game’s never over until Robinson is done.”

Spooner and Robinson glided through round one with signature serenity and style as expected. The duo took to the second round with a hardy gallop worthy of another blazing victory, but despite finishing with a top time of 38.12 seconds, the clap of a hoof on wood put the pair out of contention at the second to last jump.

Results (27.01.06)
Ariat Grand Prix, HITS Indio Desert Circuit I – California

1 – Champagne- John Pearce – 0-0/39.78
2 – Black Ice- Jill Henselwood – 0-0/40.77
3 – Syndication- Dick Carvin – 0-0/41.33
4 – Oxford- Elizabeth Easton – 0-0/44.52
5 – Plesant- Peter Pletcher – 0-0/46.00
6 – Robinson- Richard Spooner – 0-4/38.78
7 – Conejo- Kristen Coe – 0-8/45.86
8 – Ezrah- Richard Spooner – 4 – 72.00
9 – Riva 49- Jill Humphrey – 4 – 75.54
10 – Nicole- Jill Henselwood – 4
11 – Punker- Helen McNaught – 4
12 – Tedechine Sept – Eddie Macken – 4