Thermal, CA – February 13, 2025 – Philippa Melski and Filoucha have been partnered for roughly six years, and these days, their longtime relationship and familiarity is paying off in a big way. On Thursday, February 13, Melski and Filoucha flew to victory in the $24,999 Marshall + Sterling 1.40m Open Classic, held as part of Desert Circuit 6.
“It’s been so nice to have her so long and to get to know her so well,” said Melski of the 13-year-old Warmblood mare, owned by Buffy Hanschka. “It’s like all of a sudden things are just coming together. I just want to say to every single person who just goes and goes and goes with a horse, it can really come together! It takes so much time. Maybe if I had had more experience when I got her it could’ve been a faster route for us, but it’s just been so, so good. I love her.”
After finishing second in the $40,000 1.45m Open Classic during Desert Circuit 4, Melski and Filoucha returned to the Desert International Horse Park’s Grand Prix Arena on Thursday at the top of their game. As the 30th of 32 entries, Melski had the advantage of seeing what needed to be done to best the leading time, and she did just that, stopping the clock in a winning 63.650 seconds.
Finishing in second place with a time of 63.855 seconds were Savannah Jenkins and Comme Ci Comme Ca, and Keri Potter and Kalimera van de Nethe Z took home third on a time of 65.051 seconds.
“I thought the track was perfect for us,” said Melski. “There were quite a few places to leave the strides out. She did every leave out. I think I made everybody gasp a little at the second jump, but I knew she was right there! She’s a really good speed horse. She’s super brave. She’s given me so much confidence and so much education – just getting to do that on the same horse year after year.”
Over those years, one thing that has evolved is the bit – or lack thereof – that Melski utilizes with Filoucha.
“She actually broke her jaw three years ago, and we had to start riding her in a hackamore,” explained Melski. “It was strangely so much easier for me. We just have kept it. I’ve tried a bit a couple times, and she’s just too strong. She’s just so happy; her ears flop when I have the hackamore on.”
To see the full results of Thursday’s $24,999 Marshall + Sterling 1.40m Open Classic, visit dihp.showgroundslive.com.
