Thermal, CA – January 22, 2025 – The first blue ribbon of Desert Circuit 3, presented by American Wild Horse Conservation, went home with Simon Schroeder and Charlie Red Wine CS on Wednesday morning, January 22, at the Desert International Horse Park. Schroeder and the 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding, owned by Morris Simchowitz, topped a field of 75 entries to take the win in the $10,000 Barnwalkers Welcome Speed.
Savannah Jenkins and Drumiller Pin Up were the very first pair in the Grand Prix Arena, and they set a time to beat of 61.510 seconds that would prove uncatchable through more than two-thirds of the class. It was only once Schroeder and Charlie Red Wine CS entered the ring as the 54th pair to jump that Jenkins’ time was toppled, with Schroeder taking the win in 60.790 seconds.
Jenkins and Drumiller Pin Up, owned by Julia Thyssen, held on to second place, while third place with a time of 61.719 seconds went to Jamie Sailor and Teton Farms LLC’s Atlantic DVZ.
It was really an amazing ride and nice feel with him today,” said Schroeder of his round with Charlie Red Wine CS. “He fought for me, and the luck was on our side!”
While Schroeder has amassed a number of top results with the gelding, Charlie Red Wine CS hasn’t always proven to be the easiest ride.
“We started first with a real big friendship, and then we worked us up to our goals,” said Schroeder of his partner of several years. “He’s a little bit complicated like his father, Cornet Obolensky. He has his own mind. In the past few months, we’ve worked a little bit more on the dressage because we were a bit lazy there! Now he’s respecting me really well.”
While it took some work for Charlie Red Wine CS to learn to better respect Schroeder, one person the gelding has seemingly always listened to is Schroeder’s young daughter, Lena.
“He is our family favorite; he’s really a kids’ horse,” said Schroeder. “[One time], I was walking the course, and my daughter was riding him a little bit. Then I said, ‘Okay, I’m ready; I have to get on.’ She was starting to cry. I pulled her off, and then I went to get on and gave him a little leg, and in this moment, he’s just laying down on the ground and says, ‘I do nothing for you!’ He’s more on the side of my daughter than me!”
Schroeder will now aim Charlie Red Wine CS at grand prix classes throughout Desert Circuit, which continues through March 16, 2025. Week 3, presented by American Wild Horse Conservation, continues through Sunday, January 26, and features Saturday night’s $200,000 CSI4* American Wild Horse Conservation Grand Prix.
To view a schedule and to learn more about all competition at the Desert International Horse Park, visit DesertHorsePark.com.
