There was a time when $1 million show jumping grands prix practically abounded—we had the granddaddy of them all at Spruce Meadows, which was worth $3 million (Canadian) in September, while $1 million classes earlier in this century were offered in Ocala, Fla., and Saugerties, N.Y., as well as Thermal,. Calif.
The latter is now the richest grand prix in the U.S., the only one in the country still offering a seven-figure purse. So it’s especially exciting not only because of the prize money, but also because Saturday night’s Coachella Cup Grand Prix at the Desert International Horse Park drew a field of 41 that included some of the sport’s biggest names.
One of those is Ashlee Bond, whose victory was special because she is a hometown girl, a native of California who has competed at the show for years.
Ashlee, who rides on the Israeli team, said she has been sick for a month and was still coughing and sneezing during the awards ceremony, but the illness didn’t affect her performance on Donatello. The longtime partners, who have been together seven years, made short work of the jump-off course, clocking a clear round to finish in 39.33 seconds ahead of the USA’s ever-improving combination of Aaron Vale and Carissimo 25, finishing in 40.48 seconds. Third was Colombia’s Marc Bluman with Ubiluc in 40.91 seconds.
Ashlee Bond with the Coachella Cup and runner-up Aaron Vale (left) and third-place Marc Bluman (right)
Ashlee rode the curves of Olaf Petersen Jr.’s course in slalom style.
“His strengths are his turns,” said Ashlee of her mount, also noting, “since I pulled his shoes off, he’s able to go so much faster.”
Following the Paris Olympics, she wasn’t sure if Donny wanted to jump at the 5-star level anymore.
But leaving him barefoot after the Games was the key to continuing his career in a positive way.
“It’s just made him so much happier. He’s so fresh and sound and his stride’s gotten bigger. I feel like he is reinvigorated and has this happiness to go around and do his job. I’m really grateful, you don’t get these horses much in your lifetime,” said Ashlee.
Donatello and Ashlee on the way to their $1 million victory. (High Desert Sport Photo)
She would have been happy simply being in the Coachella Cup’s top three.
“This is amazing. I’m speechless. I can’t believe this happened,” she said, as she got a bit teary eyed about her “super surreal” achievement.
“It’s such a nice end to our year and a reward for our team and my horse. My little Donny is such a fighter and gives me so much every time. I’m super grateful,” commented Ashlee, who also won the class a decade ago. At that time she noted, however, It wasn’t FEI (international), so with Saturday’s class being a 5-star and attracting a stellar lineup of horses and riders, it means more than her previous victory.
Ashlee Bond and Donatello in the Coachella Cup. (Photo by High Desert Sport Photo)
“I’m just so honored to be here…this is really special it’s been an up-and-down year,” she continued.
“I feel really blessed and give it all to God more than me.”
Aaron Vale praised Carissimo, noting the 11-year-old Holsteiner is, “a wonderful horse. “I’m so close to getting exactly where I want to be, but there’s still a little hunger left. I’ve had a lot of close ones with one down, second place, third place, but what a fun night of jumping. I’m thrilled to be in California. I’ve never shown here, so what an exciting night. Hats off to Ashlee.
Commenting about the showgrounds, Aaron said, “It’s just really impressive.
“You just get a feel that the management and upper staff, they want it to be good; they want you to be happy. The amenities are great. I’ve got to say this is the best VIP I’ve seen. It’s just wonderful. You really feel welcomed. It makes you want to come back.”
Aaron Vale and Carissimo, second in the Cup. (High Desert Sport Photo)
Desert International Horse Park President and CEO Steve Hankin concluded, “When we started five years ago, if you had said this is where we would be right now, I think people would have said you were crazy. We built a nice horse park, and what Aaron said about the feeling here – that we want people here and we want to take care of them and have great time – it means the world to me, because that’s so, so important to us.
“The ultimate goal,” explained Steve, “was to bring great sport to California. It’s desperately needed it. I think we took a pretty big step forward this year in bringing great sport here. It just doesn’t get any better than to have this group of riders here with this class and to have Ashlee win it.”
The class presented by Brown Advisory also marked the individual championship for the 2024 Major League Show Jumping series, with Ireland’s Conor Swail taking the overall title for the season. He finished eighth in the 12-horse tie-breaker with 4 faults on Casturano.
Some riders who seemed to be likely key contenders for the Cup’s big payoff were far from the title. The USA’s Kent Farrington, who rode his young horse, Myla, didn’t make the jump-off after dislodging a rail in the triple combination. Another U.S. star, McLain Ward, downed the first element of the double combination in the tie-breaker with Callas, and knocked the last rail as well to finish eleventh.
In the first round, the time allowed of 83 seconds proved to be tight for five riders who otherwise would have been clean. Seven other competitors retired when they ran into trouble in the first round. But for $1 million, it has to be hard.
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