Gamble has been on an unlucky streak this Desert Circuit, according to James Chawke (IRL).

And by “unlucky,” he means he’s only won one class so far.

The pair has been competing in national classes at Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, CA. They won the 1.35m Welcome Speed Week II and were knocking at the door for a win Week IV, collecting three top four finishes at the 1.35 to 1.45m height. Notably, they had the time to win the $30,000 Open Classic Series 1.40m that week, but not the clear—a single rail relegating them to fourth.

“I’ve been a bit unlucky on him. He’s had a jump down or been beaten a couple times,” maintains Chawke (IRL).

On Wednesday, Lady Luck smiled in their favor. Second to contest Alan Wade’s speed track, the pair topped at 38-horse starting field with a time of 63.452 seconds to take the win in the $10,000 Gillibrand Sand 1.35m Welcome Speed.

“I got all of the numbers exactly as they walked, so I actually didn’t think I’d be fast enough to win it,” said Chawke. “I thought he would be top three or four maybe. He has quite a big stride, so doing the normal steps makes it a little slow. There wasn’t really anywhere that I thought I could do less. But in the end it was good enough.”

Gamble is a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, but Chawke said his show record is closer that of a nine-year-old. Purchased with fellow Irishman Conor Swail, the 35-year-old took over the ride late in Gamble’s seven-year-old year. But with Chawke’s busy travel schedule on the Major League Show Jumping tour and competing on the eastern coast, Gamble competes almost exclusively at DIHP in California and Thunderbird Show Park in BC.

“He’s always been a good jumper. He was a little bit sharp and spooky as a young horse,” continued Chawke. “He’s 12, but he hasn’t actually done that much yet.

“Last summer was the first time he ever jumped 1.45m. So until he gets the hang of it and is more relaxed, we’ll just keep jumping away what he likes doing height-wise.

When Gamble isn’t on the road, you’ll find him ambling about his paddock.

“He’s a bit cheeky, to say the least. He likes other horses. He doesn’t actually like that many people. He’s bit most people that’s ever kind of looked after,” smiled Chawke. “Not ever nastily, but he’s a bit nippy. He likes to go in the paddock all day, even coming into the show here he only ships in and then he stays here for those classes. Other than that, he goes in the paddock all day and enjoys being a horse.”

Allison La Joie and Botero secured second in the Gillibrand Sand Welcome Speed with a time of 63.921. Swail (IRL) took third place with Casturano in 64.807.

Feature image©High Desert Sport Photo