Canadian Olympian John Pearce finished second in the inaugural AIG Thermal $1 Million Grand Prix, presented by Lamborghini Newport Beach, to close out the seven-week HITS Desert Circuit in Thermal, CA, on Sunday, March 17.
Following 32 attempts out of 40 starters, Pearce, who currently resides in Bermuda Dunes, California, was the first to navigate the challenging course, designed by American Olympic gold medalist Conrad Homfeld, fault-free with his 2010 World Equestrian Games partner Chianto. Only one other rider, Germany’s Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, piloted Bella Donna to a clean first round making for an exciting two horse jump-off.
As the first to go in the jump-off, Pearce and Chianto, Alison Moore’s 17-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding, rode for a quick time of 53.70 but unfortunately a light rub at the second last rail ended in four faults. Michaels-Beerbaum posted a time of 56.70 seconds, which exceeded the 54 second time allowed and incurred three time faults to steal the win from Pearce. For his second place finish, Pearce earned a $200,000 pay-day.
“John and Chianto have the ability, determination and heart to get around the course, but there is that element of inches and luck that is always a part of show jumping,” said Moore, who also rode Chianto to the Grand Prix level and was Jump Canada’s Owner of the Year for 2010. “This will be their sixth season together. It is a testament to the strength of the partnership that exists between John and Chianto. They have continued to be contenders each time they step into the ring.
“I may have handed over the reins, but I still think I jump every jump with Chianto,” continued Moore. “I couldn’t be happier with Sunday’s result.”
Canadian Olympic silver medalist Jill Henselwood of Oxford Mills, ON, finished in the top ten, with her four fault first round riding George, B Gingras Equestrian Limited’s 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding. The pair earned $10,000 for their 10th place finish.
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