Thermal, CA – January 18, 2024 – It did not take Gregory Wathelet long after landing back in California to also land back on top of the leaderboard at the Desert International Horse Park. On Saturday night, January 18, the Belgian rider kicked off his 2025 Desert Circuit with victory in the $75,000 Go Rentals Grand Prix aboard Argentina de la Marchette.
“I was just a bit worried today because [Argentina de la Marchette] didn’t show for a couple weeks because of quarantine, and she just arrived here,” said Wathelet. “But she was straightaway really good! She’s amazing.”
Wathelet and the 13-year-old Luxembourg Warmblood were one of 32 entries to take on Saturday night’s Colm-Quinn-designed course, and they were one of 10 to produce a fault-free first round. From there, Wathelet had the advantage of being the final rider to return for the short course – as well as having one additional mount, Ace of Hearts, also in the jump-off.
“I know my mare’s really fast,” said Wathelet of the homebred mare that he has had since the beginning of her life. “I just have to be careful that I don’t overspeed because I know she can catch the time sometimes without being too crazy. They told me that [Keri Potter] was very fast, and I had to take some risk. [Argentina de la Marchette] did well I must say. I had the perfect jump-off; [it was] the plan like I thought. I didn’t manage the plan with my first horse, [Ace of Hearts]. I missed a bit one to two, and then it was not like I wanted. With her it was perfect.”
Wathelet’s plan ultimately saw him crossing the finish in 38.875 seconds to take home the win. Second place with a time of 39.051 seconds went to Potter and Kalimera van de Nethe Z, owned by Karl Cook, and, with a time of 41.364 seconds, Gabriel Rodrigues Honorio and Harley D, owned by Hybrid Horsemanship, took home third.
Fourth place went to Arturo Parada Vallejo, and both fifth and the YETI U25 rider award went to Melody Liu with Napoleon van den Dael.
With Saturday’s win under his belt, Wathelet is now looking ahead to the Desert International Horse Park’s FEI offerings during Weeks 3 and 4, where he intends to compete both Ace of Hearts and Argentina de la Marchette.
“The plan is to stay here [throughout the circuit],” concluded Wathelet. “Since I came two years ago, I’m always happy to be back.”
For full results of Saturday night’s $75,000 Go Rentals Grand Prix, click here.
