A year ago, Joie Gatlin and Cruz were an unlikely pair to be found in the winner’s circle of a speed class.

The Danish Warmblood gelding, owned by Kate Hovland, had just come into Gatlin’s barn and his rideability wasn’t what it is now.  

“He was much harder to ride,” said Gatlin of the now 13-year-old gelding. “He was a lot stronger, and you would never think you can go this fast because you didn’t think you could have the rideability. We’ve spent a lot of time on flat work and small jumps and really getting him rideable.”

That focus on the fundamentals has paid off tenfold, with Cruz now frequenting the winner’s circle—including making a trip there in the $10,000 San Marcos Training Welcome Speed at the Desert International Horse Park on Wednesday, November 2.

Joie Gatlin and Cruz. Photo by Tori Bilas for the Desert International Horse Park

Gatlin and Cruz were only the fourth of 44 entries to enter the ring, but they laid down a lightning-fast round in what would prove to be an uncatchable time of 57.437 seconds.

“I went in with the plan that I was going to get a good gallop, and I was just going to keep going; that that worked out really well!” explained Gatlin, of San Juan Capistrano, CA. “[Going] to the last jump, I know he’s a super careful horse, [so I thought], ‘There’s no sense to pull on the reins now.’ So, I just kept going. We got a little bit of a forward gap to the last jump, and he flew over it and was a superstar! 

“Now, you can go in a fast class like this, and you’ll still have your rideability for your jump classes or your grand prix or the junior amateur classics, whatever he decides to do,” said Gatlin.

Coming the closest to capturing Cruz were Keri Potter and Bisou. The pair stopped the clock in 58.186 seconds for second place, while third place with a time of 58.852 seconds went to Cassio Rivetti and his own Caron Jmen.

Following a successful start to the National Sunshine Series with Gatlin, Hovland will take over the reins on Cruz for the weekend.

“She’ll take over the ride in the Junior/Amateur Jumpers,” said Gatlin. “This is a nice setup class for him, to get him in the ring and get him on the gallop, get him looking for some turns and get the stride opened up. It served a good purpose today.”

“There’s so much to enjoy here [at the DIHP],” concluded Gatlin, who will continue competing several horses throughout the two weeks of the National Sunshine Series, which continues through November 13. “The footing is great; we have great course designers and an enormous amount of prize money now. It’s a beautiful location now. Everything is growing; everything is getting mature with the landscaping, and they just put on a great event!”

For full results of Wednesday’s $10,000 Welcome Speed, click here. Catch all the action, from all rings, at Desert International Horse Park stream live on DIHP TV.