Thermal, California, USA – December 10, 2023 – Ben Asselin (CAN) knew Baton Rouge was going to be a special horse from day one. As Desert Holiday came to a close, he had a chance to show everyone just how special, as he jumped the sole clear round in the $50,000 Whittier Trust National Grand Prix.

Peter Grant (CAN) had set difficult tracks all week and throughout the day Sunday, so the Grand Prix course was no exception. As the class went on and more and more riders accumulated a rail or two, it became clear a jump-off might not happen.

As Asselin and the 12-year-old gelding (Banderas x Karandasj) stood atop the list alone, the final rider pulled a rail and they were named champions without having to jump another fence.

“The National Grand Prixs have been tough the last couple weeks and last week was tough enough too,” Asselin remarked on how the courses have jumped through the 2023-2024 season so far. “Last week there were only five clean and I was second on this horse. It’s been a great two weeks and he jumped fantastic.”

Asselin and his family, as well as Attache Stables, who owns the horse, has seen great potential in Baton Rouge since the beginning.

“It’s really special [to win this],” Asselin continued. “I’ve only had this horse for about a year and a half. A great Canadian young rider, Samantha Buirs, brought him all the way up from a foal until he was 9 and finished her career with him in the Nations Cup in Calgary. She did a brilliant job. It took me a little while to figure him out but I feel like I’m on that track now. It’s really special to go from second last week to winning this class. He deserves it and I’m just happy I could ride him properly.”

Grant’s course was not causing terrible errors, just unlucky rails down here and there that caused everyone trouble except for Asselin.

Jamie Gornall (GBR) was the fastest four-faulter with Opus Sporthorses’ Nordic van de Fruitkof taking second, and Mariano Maggi (SWE) was right behind in third with Quantico 23, owned by Mary Francis Looke.

“Peter Grant is a fantastic course designer,” he continued. “I’ve jumped a lot of his courses and he’s learned from top-notch course designers himself. I think the jumping today was quite delicate. It wasn’t overly massive but just technical enough that it caught some riders and horses in specific spots. The time allowed was just tight enough that you really had to continue and have an efficient track but still maintain the carefulness. It was a great field of horses and riders today and luck was just on our side.”

The horse proved himself in the Grand Prix Arena Sunday and Asselin thinks he will continue to rise the ranks until he gets as high as the sport allows.

“I think he’s everything, I really do,” Asselin remarked of Baton Rouge. “I think he’s a championship horse. My parents and Attache Stables all saw that from the very beginning. We’ve always been a half owner in the horse since he was a foal and we’ve all thought that, come the time and the age, he’s going to be a championship horse for Canada. I’m really looking forward to the future and stepping up into the FEI next year and building towards the summer.”

After two great weeks at DIHP, Asselin is thrilled with the horses and the experience of jumping at all levels and producing horses at the facility.

“The team at Desert Horse Park is second to none,” he shared. “They are so hospitable and caring. It just goes to show the amount of time and effort and money they put into the facility every year it goes to show. It’s a pleasure to be here and congratulations to them for producing such a great venue.”

Final Results – $50,000 Whittier Trust National Grand Prix

1) Ben Asselin (CAN) & Baton Rouge – 0 – 77.317

2) Jamie Gornall (GBR) & Nordic van de Fruitkof – 4 – 74.899

3) Mariano Maggi (SWE) & Quantico 23 – 4 – 75.932

Source: Press Release from Desert International Horse Park

Photos: © DIHP / High Desert Photo / MG Photography / TB Photography

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