The rider from Calgary started the Spring Fling 1 off with a bang and a victory gallop aboard Phaedra Dor.

The US rider topped the podium with Bloom du Plessis, while Foster was double-clear riding Steadfast, a relatively new mount for the Canadian.

The Canadian piloted the fleet-footed mare to win the $32,000 CSI3* Welcome Speed class at DIHP's Desert Circuit 9 tournament.

Canadians factored strongly at the top the leaderboard, with Ali Ramsay 2nd and 4th in the week 6 kickoff at Desert International Horse Park.

It was an all-American podium in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup, and King's first career 5* grand prix victory.

Canada's Tiffany Foster and Electrique place 5th in the 30-horse field of the $117,000 CSI5*-W in Thermal, CA.

The Canadian was best in the $32,000 Cavalor CSI5* 1.45m Classic; fellow Canuck Vanessa Mannix third riding Lehar in Thermal, CA.

The difference in their jump-off rounds was a mere .03 seconds as Laura Kraut and Bisquetta rode to victory at DIHP.

Aboard First Lady, the US rider defended his title in the $182,000 5* Qualifier, narrowly edging Nina Mallevaey and Dynastie De Beaufour.

The American and the speedy mare won the $340,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup in Thermal, CA, his second WC victory this season.