THERMAL, CA (March 10, 2026) — Richard Spooner and Airtime may have won Friday’s $30,000 Ariat Grand Prix at HITS Thermal. But another one of his mounts took center stage in the final Ariat Grand Prix of the 2007 HITS Desert Circuit.
Spooner brought fan favorite Robinson into the ring for the last time at the HITS Desert Circuit and he didn’t disappoint, as they were one of eight horse/rider combinations coming back for the jump-off on Olaf Petersen Jr.’s jump-off course. A single rail down kept the horse/rider combination from the winner’s circle, as they finished in fifth place. Spooner is set to retire Robinson after 2007 and since Robinson is not a World Cup horse for Spooner, he will not show in Sunday’s $150,000 HITS Grand Prix of the Desert, presented by Cessna Aircraft Corporation, which is a World Cup qualifier.
But the fifth place finish didn’t matter to Spooner, or the hundreds of people who rose to their feet and applauded the pair as they exited Grand Prix ring. An emotional Spooner also took the victory gallop on Robinson.
Robinson is an 18 year old Hanoverian Gelding that was purchased as an eight year old from Ludger and Marcus Beerbaum in Germany in 1996. Robinson has won over one million dollars in prize money, and has been the PCHA horse of the year three times. Robinson is famous for hanging his tongue out of his mouth during competition, usually to the right, a quirk which many find endearing.
“Just thinking about what this horse has done for me over the years is incredible,” said Spooner. “He has given unforgettable experiences and I will always be grateful to him for that. That’s why I wanted to take the victory gallop aboard him and let everyone know how much he means to me.”
Recently, Spooner won his 93rd career Grand Prix aboard Robinson. It was also his first victory at HITS’ brand new state-of-the-art equestrian facility in Thermal, California.
Aboard Airtime on Friday, he had the last-to-ride position and shattered the Great American Time to Beat set by Audra Fleck-Snijders, who stopped the clocks at 40.957. Spooner and Airtime came in at a blistering 38.674 to secure the blue ribbon for C & S Partnership. Spooner was also sixth aboard Apache as he finished with three horses in the money. Spooner should pass the century mark for wins soon, as his latest win gives him 96.
Another noteable finish out of the starting field of 59 horses was Bliss Heers and Longford. She is only 19 and her third place finish on Friday was her highest placing ever.
Show Jumping at HITS Thermal continues all weekend and culminates Sunday with the $150,000 HITS Grand Prix of the Desert, presented by Cessna Aircraft Corporation. Sunday is also Kids Day, presented by the Desert Sun and Woodrun at HITS Thermal. Kids Day runs from 11 am until 1 pm and children under 12 are admitted free. Admission for adults is just $5 and parking is always free.
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 lays claim to 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 allow for new growth opportunities including the construction of 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 Live Fire Richard Spooner C&S Partnership $9,000 0 0 38.67
2 Rainland Mel Audra Fleck-Snijders Rainland Farm $6,600 0 0 40.95
3 Longford Bliss Heers Bridgeside Farms $3,900 0 0 39.25
4 Grace Tracy Fenney Hidden Lake Farm $2,400 0 4 39.25
5 Robinson Richard Spooner Half Moon Bay $1,800 0 4 40.63
6 Apache Richard Spooner Richard Spooner $1,500 0 4 38.80
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