Carla Diewert (CAN) didn’t know she was going to have to bring her A-game into the Emily Sandhack Equestrian Realty 1.35m Open Jumper Classic on Saturday afternoon. Among a competitive field, all entries jumped clear in the first round, so the win was going to take something great.
In her partner WH Corona, a 16-year-old gelding (Carthago Sun III x Charmeur), she felt prepared and confident. With the $10,000 Maui Jim Grand Prix still to come on Sunday, she created a solid plan, executed it, and left gas in the tank for another round.
“I actually did my original plan,” Diewert, of Foothills, AB, said of her jump-off track. “I did all the counts I wanted to because I wanted to have enough horse for tomorrow but it worked out because I was a hair faster anyway so I didn’t have to leave one out. I was glad I was a little quicker. I think I had a slightly faster gallop to fence one than the other two and I think that’s where I caught them. I did the same counts as the others.”
Going last in the order always helps, since Diewert could see what needed to be done, although it can sometimes add pressure when everyone delivers, like they did Saturday. She ended up a fraction of a second quicker than second-place finisher Dana Henson aboard EZ Ace for Brandon Equestrian Ltd. Tracey Epp claimed third with Klasse One, all three on double-clear efforts.
Time was on their side in more than one way, as Diewert has owned WH Corona for about a decade.
“I’ve had this horse a long time, 10 years,” she said of their partnership. “He was hard to start but he’s been great lately. He’s really grown up. I’ve done him in some grand prixs—he’s the greener of my two grand prix horses—but I thought this week I have to start treating him as more of a priority because he’s ready now.”
The gelding proved he’s ready, and his next task will be jumping Sunday’s Maui Jim Grand Prix to attempt to duplicate the success.
Regarding what she likes about Thunderbird Show Park, Diewert replied, “There are so many things. I grew up here, so it’s always nice to come home and see familiar faces and catch up with everyone. It’s great to see all the changes here. It’s a wonderful venue to compete. It’s so nice to see old friendly faces. And it’s not raining so it’s a good time to come!”
Emily Sandhack Equestrian Realty 1.35m Open Jumper Classic
Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Faults / Time
- WH Corona / Carla Diewert / CAN / Carla Diewert / 0/0 / 38.20
- EZ Ace / Dana Henson / CAN / Brandon Equestrian Ltd / 0/0 / 38.64
- Klasse One / Tracey Epp / CAN / Tracey Epp / 0/0 / 39.55
- Infostar / Georgia Hunt / CAN / Georgia Hunt / 0/0 / 40.37
- Brad 7 / Christopher Lowe / CAN / Christopher Lowe / 0/0 / 43.21
- Pericola van de Looise Heide / Ashley Papalia / CAN / Ashley Papalia / 0/8 / 46.78
