February 9, 2023 
Cassio Rivetti (BRA) wasn’t planning to try and win the $5,000 Morning Star Sporthorses CSI3* Special Two Phase 1.40m with Nadale van Dorperheide at Desert International Horse Park (DIHP) in Thermal, CA on Thursday.
But plans, like shoes, weather and opinions, are made to change.
“Actually my plan was not to go so fast on him, but he jumped number one a little too high then I decided to change it a little bit and go forward. He’s a fast horse so I don’t have to do too much,” he said.
Twenty-nine combinations contested the Bernardo Costa Cabra designed course. When the final horse-and-rider combination crossed the finish line, just five tenths of a second separated the podium.
Rivetti and “Nadale” took the victory in 33.34 seconds. Matt Archer (USA) and Zibaloubet Z were six hundredths of a second slower in 33.4. Vanessa Mannix (CAN) and Carmela Z finished third in 33.81.
Nadale van Dorperheide is a new ride for Rivetti. Owned by Ilan Ferder and given to the Brazilian rider to show and produce, the pair made their first international appearance in December 2022 at DIHP.
“I did him in the [Major League Show Jumping] five stars in the [1.40m–1.50m] classes and he was very good. First week here [of the winter Desert Circuit], he was second in the Grand Prix,” he enthused.
Rivetti has every reason to be optimistic about the 10-year-old Belgium Warmblood. In 11 rounds together, they’ve earned a 64% top 10 finish rate and 36% clear round rate (Jumpr App). Thursday’s class marks the grey gelding’s first international win.
“We think that he can be a really good horse for the big Grand Prix. So we are producing him here this winter, and hope he does well and can do the big shows in the summer,” explained Rivetti.
“He’s a very sensitive horse, so he needs to trust [his rider]. Sometimes I have to go slow on him. I can’t go directly into a big class. I have to give him his time, and then he can jump everything. He’s a big scopey horse and careful.”
Rivetti plans to contest Friday’s La Quinta Resort CSI3* 1.50m Speed on Friday and Sunday’s Premier Equestrian Grand Prix with Nadale van.
