Kaitlin Campbell Can’t be Caught at Las Vegas National CSI4*-W
Kaitlin Campbell and Sun Warrior. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Las Vegas, NV – November 15, 2023 – While it may be a different story on the casino floor, Kaitlin Campbell has found a lot of luck in the show ring in Las Vegas. The 32-year-old claimed back-to-back victories on Wednesday, November 15, at the Las Vegas National CSI4*-W, held at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa.
Campbell’s first win of the day came aboard Palina de l’Escaut in the $15,000 CSI4*-W Las Vegas National “Lucky Sevens” Two-Phase Stake, presented by Human Touch. She then immediately followed it up with victory in the $8,000 CSI4*-W Blenheim EquiSports “Three of a Kind” Speed Classic, presented by Charles Ancona, for the second year in a row aboard Sun Warrior.
In the Two-Phase Stake, Campbell and “Palina” were the 14th of 29 entries to take on the Olaf Petersen-designed course, and they blazed over the five-obstacle speed phase in a Formula-1-fast 21.09 seconds.
Kaitlin Campbell and Palina de l’Escaut. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
That time narrowly edged out Tuesday’s winner, Katie Laurie, who ultimately finished in second place with a time of 21.99 seconds aboard Cera Caruso, owned by Carissa McCall. Rounding out the top three with a time of 22.52 seconds was Ireland’s Conor Swail riding Vital Chance de la Roque, owned by Mannon Farm.
“She’s a super-fast horse, so she does well in indoor rings because it kind of slows her down a little bit,” explained Campbell, who has been partnered with the 14-year-old Hanoverian mare, owned by SWS Training & Sales, for the past five years. “I went into this class knowing that this is definitely a class that she could win, and I went for it today.”
Troy Hinson of Human Touch (pictured second from left) presented Kaitlin Campbell as the winner of the $15,000 CSI4*-W Las Vegas National “Lucky Sevens” Two-Phase Stake, presented by Human Touch. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
For Campbell’s second winning mount, Sun Warrior, the $8,000 CSI4*-W Blenheim EquiSports “Three of a Kind” Speed Classic served as a warm-up for Thursday’s CSI4*-W 1.50m Classic, but with the 9-year-old gelding favoring some speed, Campbell let him cruise.
“This was kind of his warm-up day, but he’s always better with a little bit of pace,” explained Campbell. “So, I thought I would just go in there and have a good gallop because that’s how I set him up for the bigger classes. It just worked out that, today, it happened to be the fastest.”
Campbell and Sun Warrior’s time of 58.18 seconds would prove to be just enough for them to defend their title in the class, with second place going to Canada’s Kassidy Keith who stopped the clock in 58.52 seconds aboard her own Fenelon WF.
Kaitlin Campbell (pictured aboard Armentos) was joined in her winning presentation by Charles Ancona, Alexandra Zulia and Nani Luebke. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
For both victories, Campbell was presented with Ethel M Chocolates Premium Chocolate Gift Baskets, Ogilvy saddle pads, Blenheim EquiSports coolerettes, Topline Design Ribbon Wreaths custom picture frames and gift certificates and horse treats, courtesy of Horseflight.
Of her consistent success at the Las Vegas National, Campbell concluded, “Some horse shows you just tend to be a bit better at. For sure Vegas is one of our favorite shows of the year. The horses always jump well, and it’s nice to be able to stay in the South Point and just come down the elevator to do your class.”
CSI4*-W competition at the Las Vegas National is made possible in part by class sponsors including Human Touch and Charles Ancona. Learn more about Human Touch by visiting HumanTouch.com, and find Charles Ancona online at CharlesAncona.com.
For full results of Wednesday’s $15,000 CSI4*-W Las Vegas National “Lucky Sevens” Two-Phase Stake, presented by Human Touch, click here, and view the $8,000 CSI4*-W Blenheim EquiSports “Three of a Kind” Speed Classic, presented by Charles Ancona, results here.
The Las Vegas National CSI4*-W, featuring the Marshall & Sterling Insurance / USHJA National Championships, continues through Sunday, November 19, with the featured $226,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Las Vegas, taking center stage on Saturday evening, November 18. Admission is free for all events, with the exception of Saturday night, with tickets available for purchase here.
While at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa, competitors and guests are encouraged to also join in the Formula 1 Las Vegas fun, with a Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix Viewing Party being held in the Showroom at South Point on Saturday evening following the conclusion of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Las Vegas.
Learn more about the Las Vegas National CSI4*-W at TheLasVegasNational.com.