Thermal, California, USA – February 08, 2024 – Lane Clarke (AUS) knows he’s got a special horse in Venom, and he proved it to everyone in attendance Saturday night of Desert Circuit 5 in the $100,000 Premier Equestrian Grand Prix, taking the win in a highly competitive crowd.
It’s not often that riders can beat Conor Swail (IRL) in jump-off, but that’s exactly what Clarke did. As one of seven to come back after Kelvin Bywater’s course clear, Clarke knew it was a tough order to top Swail, who was leading with Gamble at the time.
“To have Conor Swail (IRL), Mark Kinsella (IRL), Kyle King (USA), they’re heavy hitters,” Clarke admitted about the field he was up against. “It’s always great to compete against them, and it’s great to beat them sometimes. I want them to feel about me the way I feel about them: watch out. Tonight was my night and it’s been their night a lot more often.”
Clarke had something in Venom that the other riders didn’t have: his horse is insanely fast in the air. He quite literally slithers over every fence, staying true to his name. His time of 37.446 seconds just barely edged Swail out of first, his time being just barely slower in 37.480 seconds.
“I got to see Conor go and he was beautiful,” Clarke said of the jump-off he was trying to beat. “He did a totally different track than I did. He’s got a bigger stride and maybe more scope. I didn’t think I could get the striding done and keep the rails up, but I know my horse is quick through the air and across the ground so I took the risk of adding a stride in two places and relying on his speed through the air. I just used it to our advantage. He’s that fast that he can do two more strides and still win.”
Swail claimed second place with Gamble and Mark Kinsella (IRL) claimed third with Marquis Le Beau Courally, owned by Katherine Huffstutler.
Clarke took a slower approach to the start of the year, so his horses, Venom included, are feeling great. With the win now in his pocket, so is he.
“It’s my first show of the year,” he said of Desert Circuit 5. “I did last week just as a prep week and he’s been great. He’s always been spectacularly fast, the fastest in every class, I’ve just pushed the envelope a little too hard. I backed off a little bit and gave him a little more balance because he always tries hard and is always so quick, and tonight was the ticket.”
Venom is a special horse because he’s one that Clarke has produced with his father, Alan, who works with difficult horses. Venom was no exception, proving quite difficult as a young horse. Now 11, the gelding (Chacco-Blue x Quidam’s Rubin) is Clarke’s ultimate match.
“My dad did most of the work. He came as a difficult horse. Crazy spooky, wouldn’t jump poles on the ground,” Clarke reflected of Venom’s early years. “It helps because I know [my dad] systems and can follow his instructions. Anytime we get into a snag, we go back to the drawing board and he does what he does again. We built him for a few years but we’ve only had one and a half years of real competition; the rest was developing him into a horse that was willing to go do his job. He’s super willing now. He’s always had the desire to be good, but he’s always been a bit spooky.”
Clarke came into the ring noticeably different from the other riders, showing off his personal style in a white show coat. “My dad always wanted to have something unique with his horses. I’ve always liked unique jackets,” he shared about the fashion choice for the occasion. “He said to pick something crazy, so I wore white because why not?”
Final Results – $100,000 Premier Equestrian Grand Prix
1) Lane Clarke (AUS) & Venom – 0 / 0 – 37.446
2) Conor Swail (IRL) & Gamble – 0 / 0 – 37.480
3) Mark Kinsella (IRL) & Marquis Le Beau Courally – 0 / 0 – 37.935
Source: Press Release from Desert International Horse Park
Photos: © DIHP / TB Photography / High Desert Photo / MG Photography
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