A big week of high-caliber, FEI competition commenced at HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California, for the Longines FEI World Cup – Jumping Thermal. International and domestic riders descended on Grand Prix Stadium to contend for the money, but only one rider took home the glory in both the $36,400 Desert Welcome Stake and the $36,400 Desert Classic.

$36,400 Desert Welcome Stake
The first day of the FEI CSI-W 4* at Desert Circuit IV began with Thursday’s $36,400 Desert Welcome Stake at HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California. Competitors took to the 15-effort course designed by Martin Otto of Germany, to prove who could master the class and garner a win.

German rider Christian Heineking, now riding from Weatherford, Texas, and NKH Selena, owned by NKH LLC, took home the blue in the well-represented class. Second-place went to Egypt’s Nayel Nassar, and his own Lordan and Calgary equestrian Tamie Phillips claimed third-place with her own Cat Balou.

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