Broz Takes Her Shot

“I was thinking that second is great, even the top five is great,” said Elisa Broz of her plan going into the jump off for the $145,100 Premier Equestrian CSI3* Grand Prix at Desert International Horse Park on Sunday.

“But my trainer, Cassio Rivetti, said, ‘You have to go for the win.'”

And so she did.

The 18-year-old American topped a six-horse jump off to capture the first international Grand Prix win of her burgeoning career. And she beat Belgian Olympian Gregory Wathelet—twice—to do it.

First in the ring and first to find a clear path around the Bernardo Costa Cabral-designed 1.55m track, Wathelet qualified both Week III’s CSI2* Grand Prix winner Clarity and Thursday’s CSI3* 1.50m speed winner Ace of Hearts for the short track. As the first to return, he set the time to beat with Clarity, jumping double clear in 38.58 seconds.

The time held until three rounds later when Broz and Kardenta Van’t Meerhof shaved nearly a second off, stopping the clock in 37.98. It was their second ever FEI 1.55m appearance (Jumpr App).

“I just rode the course like we had talked about,” she shared. “I know that there were some big names and amazing riders that were chasing me but I had to ride my own course, ride my horse, and do my best.”

Two more would try to catch their time. Karrie Rufer and Mr. Europe came close in 38.32 but caught a rail. Last to return with Ace of Hearts, Wathelet had the time (37.18) but not the clear, handing the win to the young American.

“I don’t think it’s quite sunk in, to be completely honest,” said Broz. “But, for me, coming here and showing in these big classes, the future is what Gregory’s already doing. And so to be competitive, even just competitive with him, is amazing and something that I don’t think three, even two years ago, I could have even imagined. So I’m just really thankful.”

While Broz may have had a hard time imagining this moment, she has been preparing for it. Kardenta Van’t Meerhof was purchased in 2021 to be her first Grand Prix horse.

“She’s 13, and I’ve had her for about a year and a half now,” she continued. “She’s my top horse at the moment and she’s really brought me up through the ranks. She’s taught me a lot, but also has a lot of quality and is just super.“

Previously competed by Spanish Olympian Sergio Alvarez Moya (ESP) up to the 1.60m height, the Belgium Warmblood mare is a seasoned competitor, if at times complicated partner.

“She is quirky. Very quirky. But I just remember jumping her [the first time] and being like, this is the best jump I’ve ever sat on,” continued Broz.

Last summer, their partnership started to gel with Broz’s first ever clear at the 1.50m height in Las Vegas. This April, they’re planning to head to Omaha to contest her first ever the FEI World Cup Final. Broz is currently ranked second in the West Coast standings.

“She’s definitely been a blessing.”