Press release from Major League Show Jumping

Team Roadrunners made a statement Saturday afternoon at Concurso de Salto La Silla. They completed their first ascent to the top of the Major League Show Jumping Team Competition podium as the series gears up to head west for two stops at their home showgrounds, Desert International Horse Park.

Germany's Christian Heineking showcased the spectacular foot speed of NKH Cento Blue (Centadel x Chacco-Blue) in a gold-medal jump-off against Eye Candy's Paul O'Shea (IRL) and Hellcat (Cassander van het Bremhof x Conan Z). Less than a second separated Roadrunners and Eye Candy after the final timers. Consistent trips from Roadrunners riders Kaitlin Campbell (USA) on Palina de L'escaut (Perigueux x Gardeulan) and Kyle King (USA) riding Etalon (Otangelo x Concorde) guaranteed the victory.

"It was a long way to come to Mexico, so we needed to make it worth it," noted Campbell. "It is a nice result today, and to move up the standings going into the next two weeks where we are at home. Hopefully we can make a big result in the next two weeks at home."

"Christian's horse is a faster horse across the ground and I thought, my horse is fast, but he jumps a little high and hangs a little bit," said King about Roadrunners' strategy. "I was happy that he got to go in the jump-off position. I think we worked it out just right because Kaitlin and I were within one-hundredths of a second or something crazy, and he was a second-and-a-half faster. So, we picked the right one to go last and put the pressure on."

Eye Candy riders Jacqueline Steffens (CAN) aboard Freaky (Darco x Litho H) and Conor Swail (IRL) on Gamble (Vingino x Indoctro) joined O'Shea for the silver medal. Eye Candy still holds on at the top of the overall team rankings with Roadrunners now sitting eleven points behind in second.

A.I.M. United completed the podium with Eugenio Garza (MEX) knocking Lucky Charms out of medal position in the final jump-off. He rode Victer Finn Dh Z (Va Vite x Stakkato) alongside the team's newest member Daniel Bluman (ISR) on Cachemire de Braize Quality Touch x Jaguar Mail) and Ashlee Bond (ISR) with Lazy (Hickstead x Cruising).

"I think you can tell that we had a lot of fun down here," said Heineking of the last two MLSJ stops in Mexico. "All the venues have been nice, but I'm personally already looking forward to next year and what new venues there are. It's been a great experience."