A Tremendous Thursday for Kasey Ament & Gaia in the $25,000 FarmVet Grand Prix at Thermal

By on 2021-02-27

Thermal, California – USA – February 25, 2021 – Thursday of Desert Circuit Week V saw tremendous riding from Katie Laurie (AUS), Kasey Ament (USA), and Tali de Jong (USA) as all three emerged victorious in the Grand Prix Stadium during the fifth week of the Desert Circuit at the Desert International Horse Park. Subsequent to the FEI class in the Grand Prix Stadium was the $25,000 FarmVet Grand Prix. Kasey Ament (USA) and Lornnah Investments, LLC’s Gaia (Cantos x Zoe) rode to first place with their jump-off time of 38.159 seconds.

In second place, and the rider to set the Roeckl Gloves time-to-beat, was Stephanie Gershon (USA) and C’est Roberto (Colbert GTI x Crabby), owned by Everardo A Hegewisch. The pair stopped the jump-off timers at 40.192 seconds.

Rounding out the podium was Katie Harris (USA) and her own Quantanamo Z (Quinn Van de Heffinck x Irietta du Cache-Pot) for their time of 40.573 seconds.

**Kasey Ament** (USA) & **Gaia** during the awards ceremony

Gaia has been partnered with Ament for two years now. “This is probably the biggest track I’ve done on her; she’s very hot and careful and I really have taken my time with her. She really has everything and I don’t want to rush her. I felt like this week was a good week to step her up,” shared Ament.

To keep Gaia sharp in the arena, Ament makes sure to change up her routine. Most recently, she has added Desert International Horse Park’s new Bridle Path to give Gaia a new place to stretch her legs. “She keeps it interesting. It’s something new everyday. I’m here for the winter, so I really have to try to mix it up for her. They have a really nice trail that goes around the property now, so I ride her out there a lot,” Ament noted. “It’s important that she’s not in the arena all the time. She is really special and sensitive, so she gets a little bored and she throws new things at you.”

Final Results – $25,000 FarmVet Grand Prix

1) Kasey Ament (USA) & Gaia – 0 / 0 – 38.159

2) Stephanie Gershon (USA) & C’Est Roberto – 0 / 0 – 40.192

3) Katie Harris (USA) & Quantanamo Z – 0 / 0 – 40.573

full results

Source: Press release from Desert International Horse Park