The second FEI win of the day went to Kaitlin Campbell and Sun Warrior in the $10,000 CSI4*-W 1.35m Blenheim EquiSports “Three of a Kind” Speed Classic, presented by Charles Ancona.
Campbell and the 8-year-old gelding were the final pair to enter the ring at the South Point Arena, and the time to beat had been set at 54.64 seconds by Australia’s James Arkins and Joevaro N, owned by Abigail Evans.
“There were a lot of fast riders, but [Sun Warrior]’s super-fast across the ground, so I knew if I went for it, I’d have a chance,” explained Campbell, who did in fact go for it, stopping the clock in 53.90 seconds for the win.
With Campbell clinching the victory, Arkins finished in second, and Conor Swail and Errol rounded out the top three with a time of 55.04 seconds.
“Pretty much everyone else did five strides to five strides across the middle; I did six strides to six strides, but his stride is just so fast,” said Campbell, who has had the ride on Sun Warrior for owner Linda Starkman for the past two years. “Then in the last turn, I’m pretty sure that I did one less back to the red vertical coming home.”
Campbell continued, “His owner, Linda Starkman, bred him herself; she owned the mother. She’s just been the best owner for him. Everything I ask her, she’s just super supportive, so I’m just super thankful that she trusts me with him.”
While Campbell has resided in California for the past seven years, she hails from the across the country, and for her, competing at the Las Vegas National CSI4*-W is reminiscent of her year’s spent showing on the East Coast.
“I grew up on the East Coast doing Harrisburg and Washington and the National – all the ‘Indoors,’” said Campbell. “This is the closest that I get to Indoors, so I like it here.”
For their wins, both Campbell and Coyle received a Blenheim EquiSports prize giving coolerette, an Ethel M Chocolates Epic Premium Chocolate Gift Basket, an Ogilvy saddle pad and a Topline Design Ribbon Wreaths custom picture frame and gift certificate.
For full results of the $10,000 FEI 1.35m Blenheim EquiSports “Three of a Kind” Speed Classic, presented by Charles Ancona, click here.
