January 30, 2022 
For Keri Potter, keeping Quitana 11 fit for the mare’s owner and her longtime student, Hannah Loly, is her primary objective this winter—but picking up a few international wins along the way certainly doesn’t hurt.
In an exciting culmination to the first FEI week of the 2022 Desert Circuit at the Desert International Horse Park, Potter and Quitana 11 topped Sunday’s $138,600 Purina Animal Nutrition Grand Prix CSI3*, after already winning the $5,000 Vita Flex 1.40m Two-Phase CSI3* earlier in the week.
“I don’t think I’ve ever ridden the horse as fast as this one,” said Potter of the 16-year-old Holsteiner mare. “She won the first day here, and today I changed the bridle because I was actually getting run away with the first day. She’s so fast that I really don’t even have to think about going fast. You kind of just soften the reins and let it happen.”
Before Potter and Quitana 11 turned in a speedy jump-off round to clinch the win, 34 horses contested the first-round track designed by Manuel Esparza (MEX). From the starting field, seven horses advanced to the jump-off, including Quitana 11 and Potter’s second mount, Ariell La Sirene.
With Ariell La Sirene, also owned by Loly, Potter laid down an early clear time to beat of 39.89 seconds. That time would hold onto the top spot until Potter’s return to the ring as the penultimate entry aboard Quitana 11.
“The first fence, I chose to really gallop. I left one out compared to my first horse that I went on because I knew I could. Quitana has a little bit of a longer stride,” explained Potter, who ultimately shaved more than two seconds off of her previous time, blazing through the timers in a winning 37.40 seconds.
“There are very few horses that are faster than she is,” continued Potter. “She’s a little bit unorthodox in the way she goes, and, over the years, she’s figured out a way to kind of get herself out of situations—whether she’s deep, long. You can challenge her that way because of that. When I challenged her today, she rose up to the occasion.”
Alec Lawler was the final entry to return for the jump-off, and he and his own For Gold edged in between Potter’s two entries to take second place with a time of 38.59 seconds.
“I trust [Quitana] completely,” said Potter following her win. “I like the feisty ones, and I’ve taught Hannah [Loly] for so many years that I think she kind of rides what I like as well. I just had this feeling that they’d get along. The trial of the horse was pretty interesting. Hannah was completely getting run away with, but we both had smiles on our faces, and we were like, ‘We think we can make this work!’”
Years later, Quitana 11 has fully adapted to Potter’s program, and Loly will be back in the mare’s irons in May, following completion of her semester of classes at Tufts University in Medford, MA. In the meantime, Potter will be keeping the mare in shape—and maybe picking up a few more wins along the way.
For full results of Sunday’s $138,600 Purina Animal Nutrition Grand Prix CSI3*, click here.
Show jumping competition at the Desert International Horse Park resumes on Wednesday, February 2, with Desert Circuit III. For a full schedule and additional information, visit deserthorsepark.com.
