Author Archives: Carley Sparks

Swail Wins and Learns

Conor Swail logs a lot miles in the victory gallop. You don't get to be no. 6 in the world without making frequent trips to the winner's circle. But, as...

The Ace in Wathelet’s Pocket

Gregory Wathelet’s upcoming Grand Prix mount Ace of Hearts has always shown the athleticism to be an international horse. Now he’s gaining the consistency. The 13 year old, former-dressage horse...

Django Took the Long Road

“I haven't sped him that much," said Katie Laurie (AUS) of her top mount Django II. "He's normally such a big jumper or a bit slow and whenever I try...

Casturano Is an Overachiever

Irishman Conor Swail has a new mount and a good problem. Casturano, previously campaigned by Canada's Samantha Buir, is a 10-year-old German Warmblood with a tendency to over jump—and consistently....

Ramsay Gets a Good Feeling

Ali Ramsay has never had a horse quite like 10-year-old Conrado 12. “He's my type. Like, if you think of [my top horse] Bonita [Vh Keizershof Z] and my horse...

Consistency Is Conor Swail’s Key

Theo 160 is a winner. At just 11 years of age, Conor Swail’s liver chestnut gelding has collected 34 podium finishes—half of them victories—and more in career earnings than most...

Gregory Wathelet Has Rhythm

Most riders, upon entering the ring for a big class, will show their horse a tricky turn or a potentially spooky obstacle. Watch Gregory Wathelet (BEL) and you'll see him...

Chawke Up a Win

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...

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*...

Wathelet Has an Ace Up His Sleeve

You could call Ace of Hearts early career a series of unfortunate events. Discovered by a colleague at age five, the Estonian Sport Horse was training in dressage and had...

Rivetti Switches Gears

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...

Cera Caruso Marches to the Beat of His Own Drum

"Caruso," according to Urban Dictionary, is the act of adding melodrama to everything you do. It's an accurate descriptor of Katie Laurie's Cera Caruso. The expressive 15-year-old Australian bred gelding, aka Elvis,...

Blazing Bling VD Duvelshoeve Z

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....

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