February 5, 2023 
Olivia Brown (USA) didn’t have the chance to watch her jump-off competition in the $50,000 HorseFlight National Grand Prix at Desert International Horse Park on Saturday night under the lights.
But she had an idea of what they did.
“I didn’t really get to watch, but I listened to the first couple go and they were clears and I went out into the ring and saw the tracks [in the footing] that everybody had taken,” said Brown. “So I knew I had to be tidy and quick.”
In the end, just four tenths of second separated the podium.
Seven combinations found a clear path around Alan Wade’s first round 1.50m track to advance to the jump off. Kaitlin Campbell (USA) and Paulina de l’Escaut were first to return and first to post a double clear, stopping the clock at 35.773 seconds. Kyle King (USA) and Ittolo took over the lead one round later by one tenth of a second (35.681). Brown shave another three tenths of a second off, blazing around the course on Bling VD Duvelshoeve Z in 35.364.
“I’ve never really gone that fast on her, so it was really fun,” shared Brown.
“She’s naturally really quick and she’s also careful. So I really all I have to do is give her a decent ride and she’s going to jump clean.”
Owned by her student, Caroline Burke, who is now in college, Brown took over the ride in September with goal of selling the 10-year-old Zangersheide. The mare is new to the height, but Brown’s strategy for the class was a familiar one.
“I ride a lot of 1.20m horses for clients and go fast in those classes. So I just kind of told myself, it’s just another class. It’s not that big and just go for it like I’m in any other class,” said Brown.
“She’s definitely a mare that fights for me, which is great. She wants to jump clean, she wants to do the job.”
Brown plans to campaign Bling VD Duvelshoeve Z in the National division for the remainder of Desert Circuit. Unless of course, she finds a new owner before then.
