Thermal, CA – March 13, 2025 – Since partnering at the end of last year, Kaitlin Campbell and Bull Run’s Hesed have been making their way up the ranks, and on Thursday, March 13, they made their way straight up to the top of the leaderboard in the $63,000 Morning Star Sporthorses CSI4* Welcome Stake.
A field of 50 horses took on the grand prix qualifier class at the Desert International Horse Park’s Desert Circuit 10, presented by KASK and Vogel. From there, the Peter Grant-designed course narrowed that field down to 17 for a lightning-fast jump-off.
When Campbell and Bull Run’s Hesed returned in the middle of the pack to jump-off, the time to beat had been set at 40.59 seconds by frequent winners Jos Verlooy and FTS Killossery Konfusion. Campbell, however, saw an opportunity to squeeze ahead of the Belgian rider.
“Jos is extremely fast on his horse,” said Campbell. “He’s had super results all season. The only thing I saw that he didn’t do was there was an island on the way from [fence] one to two, and he went around the island. I just slipped right inside of the island. So, I think that’s where I just shaved that tiny bit off.”
With that slick maneuver, Campbell and Bull Run’s Hesed crossed the finish in 39.70 seconds to ultimately take home the win. Verlooy and FTS Killossery Konfusion, owned by Euro Horse BVBA, held on to second place, and the USA’s Shawn Casady and Cool Quarz, owned by Morning Star Sporthorses LLC, finished in third place with a time of 40.92 seconds.
Campbell’s winning mount, Bull Run’s Hesed, was previously competed by fellow U.S. rider Kristen Vanderveen before Mirasol Equestrian LLC purchased the 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding in late 2024.
“I started out just kind of in national classes at the end of last year getting to know him,” explained Campbell. “I started the 1.45m beginning of this year and keep stepping him up. He’s jumped this level before with Kristen, but Kristen and I are kind of very different riders. So, we just wanted to give him a chance to get to know me, but he does have experience at this level.
“He’s very fast obviously, and he’s very sensitive to what you’re doing on top of him,” continued Campbell. “That’s why I just wanted to take it a little bit slower: so that he could kind of get to know my cues, and I could get to know him a little bit better. Now, it’s finally coming together.”
To view complete results from the $63,000 Morning Star Sporthorses CSI4* Welcome Stake, click here.
Competition at the 2025 Desert Circuit continues through Sunday, March 16, with highlight events including Friday night’s $100,000 WCHR West Coast Hunter Spectacular, sponsored by Irene Neuwirth, and Saturday’s $200,000 CSI4* KASK & Vogel Grand Prix. To view a full schedule, click here, and to learn more about all competition at the Desert International Horse Park, visit www.DesertHorsePark.com.
