Thermal, CA – February 5, 2025 – Amanda Gomez and Charly-Ann are no strangers to winning in the Desert International Horse Park’s Grand Prix Arena, but on Wednesday, February 5, the pair proved that their speed stays consistent no matter the surface. With a time of 62.390 seconds, Gomez and Charly-Ann raced to victory in the $10,000 Barnwalkers Welcome Speed, held on the DIHP Grass Field at Desert Circuit 5, presented by Fobi.
“Typically, I feel that she jumps better off of a synthetic surface,” said Gomez of the 14-year-old Holsteiner mare she has been partnered with for the past year and a half. “The grand prix ring is usually her area to shine. The grass is beautiful this week. I was excited to have an opportunity to get her out on the grass and just to see how she came out today.”
As the 10th of 28 to jump, Charly-Ann came out strong, besting the previously leading time of 64.760 seconds – set by Canada’s Kassidy Keith – by more than two seconds. Ultimately, Keith and her mount, Havana, finished in third place, while fellow Canadian Justin Prather slid into second place with a time of 64.053 seconds aboard Mulan BF.
“The course was so wide open and flowing, so I tried to just use [Charly-Ann’s] natural foot speed to my advantage today,” said Gomez. “I had a couple moments out there where I had to ease off a little more than I planned on, but I tried to do the best thing that I thought for my mare – especially being her first time out on the grass this year. Thankfully, it was just quite enough today. We’re happy to be back out on the grass, and I think she jumped absolutely fantastic today!”
Competition at Desert Circuit 5, presented by Fobi, continues through Sunday, February 9, with the remainder of the week’s featured jumper classes – including Saturday’s $75,000 Fobi Grand Prix – to also be held on the Grass Field. In the Grand Prix Arena, the hunters take center stage, with highlights including Friday’s $25,000 DIHP Hunter Team Challenge and the $20,000 DIHP Under Saddle Championship, as well as Saturday’s $20,000 Winners Circle Hunter Stake.
To view results from Wednesday’s $10,000 Barnwalkers Welcome Speed, click here, and to view a full competition schedule, click here.
