THERMAL, CA (February 26, 2026) — Much to the liking of the United States Equestrian Team’s Chef D’Equipe, George Morris, Richard Spooner cemented his spot on the United States FEI World Cup Team with his win aboard Cristallo in Sunday’s $75,000 Footing Authority™ Grand Prix at HITS Thermal.
Morris sat at the in-gate and watched as Spooner clinched a spot on the team. Spooner will be one of the representatives for the United States in the World Cup that takes place in Las Vegas from April 18-22.
“Richard Spooner is a great competitor and he is someone I have to have with me at the biggest events this year,” said Morris. “He rides magnificent on all of his horses.”
For Spooner it was his 95th career win and his third at HITS Thermal this winter. “My goal was to get to 95 by the end of the year and I already did that and it is only February,” said Spooner. “I am on one heck of a roll right now.”
You can say that again!
The HITS Desert Circuit’s all-time leading money winner also took second place in Sunday’s Featured Class aboard Apache. Not to mention he scored a first and second place finish in Friday’s $30,000 Ariat Grand Prix. In all, he took home $54,600 it total prize money.
Dave Ballard’s jump-off course also featured a few more World Cup hopefuls as Sunday’s $75,000 Footing Authority™ Grand Prix was one of four qualifiers at the 2007 HITS Desert Circuit. First to go in the jump-off was 24-year-old Jill Humphry and her mare Kaskaya . She came into today’s class just four points behind Spooner. The horse/rider combination had eight faults and landed in fifth place. “Being first in the jump-off I tried to go quick and it cost me two rails,” she said. “If I would have just gone slowly like I would do for a clean jump-off, I would have had third because only two cleared. But I can’t look back. I can just be happy.”
Despite the eight jumping faults, Morris was still thrilled with her performance. “Jill is still green,” said Morris. “But she is a top prospect. I would be delighted to have her as a future member of the United States Equestrian Team.”
“Jill is a tremendous rider and a phenomenal talent,” said Spooner. “She is still young and if she stays mounted she can be a fantastic member of the United States Equestrian Team.”
Following Humphry in the jump-off was Spooner and Cristallo . They negotiated the course clean and set the Great American Time to Beat at a blistering 37.06
Next, Audra Fleck-Snijders and Rainland Mel took their chance on Ballard’s jump-off route. Their four-fault score landed them in third place. Rich Fellers and Gyro came into Sunday’s $75,000 Footing Authority™ Grand Prix in third place in the FEI West Coast World Cup Standings. After a clean first round, one rail down put the horse/rider combination in fourth place. Spooner and Apache had the last to ride position and they went through unscathed earning Spooner a red ribbon as he could not catch the time he set aboard Cristallo.
The HITS Desert Circuit returns on Tuesday, February 27. On Friday, March 2, the featured class will be the $30,000 Ariat Grand Prix. And on Sunday, March 4, the $75,000 Footing Authority™ Grand Prix returns to the HITS Desert Horse Park.
For the past 15 years, HITS has produced a six-week winter horse show circuit in Indio, California. The 2007 HITS Desert Circuit is being held just five miles from its previous home at the new, state-of-the-art HITS Desert Horse Park equestrian facility on Airport Boulevard in Thermal, California.
The new horse park is the largest Hunter/Jumper horse show venue in the United States and has more than $10,000,000 in improvements, including stabling for more than 3,000 horses and 12 competition rings. HITS Thermal also features the new state-of-the-art footing provided by Footing Authority™ .
In January 2006, HITS entered into a private equity arrangement with Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. in Los Angeles. As a result, HITS, Inc. is able to develop and execute exciting operational and strategic initiatives that both solidify its well-established position as the leader in horse show management and allows for new growth opportunities including the construction of the HITS Desert Horse Park. HITS generates significant economic impact in each of its five venues in California, Arizona, Florida, Virginia and New York.
Results
1 Cristallo Richard Spooner Show Jumping Syndication $22,500 0 0 37.06
2 Apache Richard Spooner Richard Spooner $16,500 0 0 43.37
3 Rainland Mel Audra Fleck-Snijders Rainland Farm $9,750 0 4 36.06
4 Gyro Rich Fellers Harry and Molly Chapman $6,000 0 4 38.83
5 Kaskaya Jill Humphry Leone Equestrian $4,500 0 8 47.44
6 Black Ice Jill Henselwood Equine Canada $3,750 4
Other Results
Adequan Open Hunter - Bon Voy Odge, ridden by John French and owned by Julie Ridgeway, Gilroy, CA
Farnam Adult Hunter 18-35 - Lonestar, ridden by Katherine Mastangi and owned by Katie Harris, Wilton, CA
Farnam Adult Hunter 36-45 - Austin, ridden and owned by Doug Dolezel, Rancho Sante Fe, CA
Farnam Adult Hunter 46 & Over - Ideal, ridden and owned by Nancy Markwell, LA Quinta, CA
M & S Adult Hunter Classic - Charisma, ridden and owned by Lucy Anderson, Rancho Sante Fe, CA
M & S Children’s Hunter Classic - Cover Charge, ridden by Halston Schrage and owned by Darby Hill Farm, Los Angeles, CA
M & S Child Jumper Classic - Hot Pants, ridden and owned by Sage Flynn, Rancho Sante Fe, CA
$5,000 PCHA Jimmy Williams Classic, Sponsored by Apollo Farms - Poseidon, ridden and owned by Richard Spooner, Aqua Dulce, CA
$10,000 Shoot for the Moon Jr/A-O Jumper Classic - Conquest of Paradiso, ridden by Katherine Bardis and owned by C& S Partnership, Aqua Dulce, CA
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