Thermal, California, USA – December 11, 2022 – Mandy Porter (USA) and Cadeau Z keep getting better and better. During the National Sunshine Series, they rode to top-five finishes in each of the national grand prixs, but during week two of Desert Holiday, they made it to the winner’s circle in the $50,000 Go Rentals Grand Prix on Sunday morning.

“We’re just really getting to know each other better and better each time out,” Porter said of her relationship with the 9-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Carmena Z – Azura Fomia) owned by Risen EQ Holdings LLC. “Today we were able to go a little faster and a little bit more in unison.”

Porter was one of five to jump clear over Alan Wade’s (IRL) track in the first round. She was the final clear effort, putting her in pole position as the jump-off arrived. Karrie Rufer (USA) had held the lead at the time with Stern Dei Folletti (Toulon x Berlin), owned by Morning Star Sporthorses, but Porter did what she had to do, shaving only one-tenth of a second off the leading time.

“After watching Karrie, I didn’t really think I was going to be faster than she was but this horse has a heart of gold,” Porter continued. “He’s such a trier; he was better in the jump-off than in the first round even. I’m super lucky right now to have really great people that are backing me. It’s a lot of fun. Big thank-you to the owners.”

The horse was paired with Porter from the same team that paired her with her mount Milano, with whom she won the $1 Million Grand Prix right here in Thermal in 2017. “It’s a little ironic,” she said of the match-making. “I called Enda Carroll who we got him from at Ashford Farm because that was where I got Milano, a really good horse I had a few years ago. He said, ‘I think I have the perfect horse,’ and he put it all together.”

“It’s exciting,” Porter reflected on her win. “I haven’t been back in the grand prixs here in a little bit. It feels like ages, and after watching [the CSI5* Grand Prix] last night it gets your blood going and gets you excited. The atmosphere here is really special now, so it’s a lot of fun to ride in this ring and feel special.”

Rufer took home second place honors, while Jamie Taylor (USA) and JT Equine LLC’s Quatar (Quidam de Revel x Böckmann’s Cordalme Z) claimed bronze honors, registering a double clear too while securing the third spot with a final time of 36.916 seconds.

Final Results – $50,000 Go Rentals National Grand Prix

1) Mandy Porter (USA) & Cadeau Z – 0 / 0 – 36.306

2) Karrie Rufer (USA) & Stern dei Foletti – 0 / 0 – 36.418

3) Jamie Taylor (USA) & Quatar – 0 / 0 – 36.916

Source: Press Release by Tori Bilas for Desert International Horse Park

Photos: ©  DIHP / ESI Photography / MG

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