Thermal, CA – January 8, 2025 – Allison Kroff and T-Quick Hurricane Z stormed to victory in the $5,000 Barnwalkers 1.35m Welcome Speed on Wednesday, January 8, to kick off Desert Circuit 1, presented by Kubota, at the Desert International Horse Park.
When Kroff and the 13-year-old Zangersheide mare entered the Grand Prix Arena as the seventh of 24 entries, the early time to beat had been set at 62.796 seconds by Ireland’s David O’Brien and Estoril Delle Roane. With a good gallop and some slick inside turns, Kroff shaved off just enough time to clinch the win, stopping the clock in 62.226 seconds.
O’Brien’s time with Estoril Delle Roane, owned by Postage Stamp Farm LLC, held up through to the end of the class for second place. Third place went to fellow Irishman Mark Kinsella, who finished the course in 63.007 seconds aboard Cameron Z, owned by Have High Hopes LLC.
“The course was really fun and spread out,” said Kroff of the track set by course designer Cedric Longis. “There were lots of related lines for it being a speed class, but I knew with ‘Fifi’ that I could gallop around the corners and make some tight turns on the inside. It’s windy, so she was definitely a little bit more up and ready this morning, but that played in our favor!”
Kroff has been partnered with “Fifi,” owned by TC Sport Horses LLC, for nearly four years, and after Kroff had a tough fall in the fall of 2023, the mare has been instrumental in her returning to climb the ranks in the show ring.
“She has been my steady Eddie, getting me back in the grand prix ring and confident again,” explained Kroff who plans to spend the full winter circuit at the Desert International Horse Park. “She’s little and mighty. She gives me so much confidence going into the ring. It’s fun working with her at all different venues. She doesn’t mind indoors, outdoors, she just thrives everywhere. Our 2025 goal is to get back into the National Standard Grand Prix.”
Competition at Desert Circuit 1, presented by Kubota, continues through Sunday, January 12, with highlights including Saturday evening’s $25,000 Kubota Grand Prix. For a full schedule, click here, and for full results of Wednesday’s $5,000 Barnwalkers 1.35m Welcome Speed, click here.
