Press release from Desert International Horse Park

Some riders would be intimidated knowing Conor Swail (IRL) was following them as the final rider to go in a 12-horse jump-off, but not Elisa Broz (USA). Broz and Tinkerbell (Chacco-Blue x Silvio I), owned by Hidalgo LLC, put in a blazing fast round in Friday’s $76,000CAD Premier Equestrian CSI2* Grand Prix to make Swail catch her, and he was unsuccessful, pulling a rail in his effort and awarding the win to Broz, just 20.

“I’m feeling great. It’s always great to have a win, especially at a horse show like this with top riders,” Broz reflected following her victory. “I’ve been competing against Conor since the winter and know he’s fast and was the last to go, so I was on the edge of my seat watching him go. I’m very, very happy.”

Over Wade’s course, Broz was far enough through the order of go that she knew how the jump-off was riding, but she also stuck to her plan and got it done. She unseated then-leader Darragh Kenny (IRL) with California Pie (Captain Cooper x Ramiro's Son I), owned by Oakland Ventures LLC, who ended up second. Third went to Easy Boy D’Aubey Z (Emerald van't Ruytershof x Rubels), owned by Maplepark Farm, with Kara Chad (CAN) aboard.

“I’ve had Tink for almost three years now and she’s incredible,” Broz said of her partner, a 13-year-old Mecklenberger mare. “She’s such a trier and has a heart of gold. She’s super quick, but super honest. I love her. I’ve taken her to Young Riders and she’s been my steady speed horse.”

The horse is suited for speed, which meant she had to approach the track slightly differently, knowing she didn’t have tons of stride to spare. “The one thing I looked at in the jump-off was the line to the double,” Broz said of her plan for jumping off. “I know her stride isn’t big so I was going to have to add in nine [strides], but I trusted that she was going to be quick enough everywhere else that I could do that.”

Broz was up against several of the world’s top-ranked riders in Saturday’s class, as she was also in the CSI5* division during the week. To emerge on top of a field of Olympic-caliber riders is a good feeling for the young athlete.

“I think it’s incredible; you only get as good as the people you’re competing against, so being able to compete against these riders just makes me a better rider,” Broz said of the caliber of rider that’s come out to the desert for Desert Holiday. “It’s incredible to see them coming to this venue that I’ve grown up showing at. I’m very happy to be able to compete against riders like this.”

Tinkerbell is one of several top mounts Broz is building, which is giving her the edge at several different levels.

“My grey horse Kardenta, who I took to World Cup Finals, is incredible, and she’s been teaching me the top of the sport,” she elaborated on her string, working with Cassio Rivetti (BRA) to learn the ropes of the higher levels. “I also have Crispo R who is my newer one who I’m hoping to do the bigger classes on. I’mjust getting to know him. And I have a young one I’m developing which is really exciting and fun. I’m learning patience but I really enjoy it.”