Posted February 13, 2006

Molly Talla Takes Major Money Aboard Camaron Hill’s So Long at Indio’s $75,000 Bayer Grand Prix

Indio, CA – February 12, 2006 – Only one team managed to thoroughly decode course designer Danny Foster’s brutal layout for the $75,000 Bayer Grand Prix during Indio’s third week. Molly Talla, of San Juan Capistrano, broke through the competition aboard Camaron Hill’s Shan Roe to become the sole combination to keep rails out of the dirt.

They finished as one of only three pairs to advance to the jump-off. Rail after rail, the rest of the class was barred. Even with the likes of Indio’s past week Grand Prix champions Champagne, Live Fire, Suncal’s King, Urioso and Ezrah; Foster’s course continued to top the top.

Of the two conspicuous combinations that contributed most faults to the class, the rails of fence 6A spent more time in the dirt than any other. “I really thought about number six because I was late enough in the order that I got to see people knock that down. So I went in there and looked at that line to make sure [Shan Roe] knew it was an oxer. I don’t think some of the horses knew it was an oxer,” said Talla.

Foster explained of the obstacle, “Combination six is a bit of a pale color and some horses don’t get a good look at it and I think it was bigger than it seemed.” Overall, Foster was satisfied with how his course rode and he expressed great respect for the level of talent shown in today’s class.

But it was Shan Roe’s talent above all that carried Talla through that particular combination and into the jump-off without so much as a rub. They stirred up competition for Duncan McFarlane and Eezy, who were the first pair to provide a clean round, after the following ten entries fell short. One trip after Talla, Jeff Campf and Lady-D rounded out the qualifying total to three.

The concise jump-off offered no room for mistakes as Eezy and McFarlane took to the ring. Fence 2 and 6B tacked eight faults to their trip and left the door open for Talla and Campf to make their marks. Talla quietly piloted Shan Roe over the fences and around the course’s tight rollbacks, demonstrating the scope and precision of the 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse. The pair laid a 44.06-second clean finish on the table as Campf and Lady-D cantered in with the intention to better Talla’s hand. But it was not to be for Campf as eight faults foiled his round, leaving Talla and Shan Roe victorious.

“I was second to go in the jump-off so I got to watch the first round which took a little pressure off. But I knew Jeff was behind me and I didn’t go too fast because I wanted to keep all the rails up,” Talla explained. “So Jeff certainly could have beaten my time, but once I saw that rail go down, I breathed a little easier.” She later added, “This is probably the biggest win I’ve had!”

Shan Roe came to Talla when he was 6-years-old and has since become her first major Grand Prix horse. And in spite of some minor troubles with his focus, Shan Roe’s talent has impressed Talla from day one. “He’s taught me a lot. It would be hard to bring another horse along after having him,” she said. “He is such a great horse. He’s so full of jump and never tires. He’d be ready to go again this afternoon if we pulled him out! So it’s great for him to get to go back in the ring for a jump-off because he’s got all that energy left.”

One of her other break-through Grand Prix mounts this year is a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse called Leapy Hill. Talla rode him to the jump-off in Friday’s Ariat Grand Prix and finish in fifth place. “That was the biggest Grand Prix I had ridden him in,” said Talla.

After arriving from Ireland just over a year ago, Talla entered Leapy Hill in a number of future jumper and low jumper classes to build his confidence. After experiencing his first-class performance on Friday, Talla also expects to bring Leapy Hill up to some big Grand Prix competitions this year.

And despite a broken collarbone last fall after an accident with a young horse, qualifying for this year’s World Cup in Kuala Lumpur with Shan Roe, still remains atop her priority list. “I missed a lot of the trials in the fall which slowed me down considerably so I’m not really sure I’ll be in contention, even with this win. But it is still my goal and if not this year then next year.”

Results: $75,000 Bayer Grand Prix, HITS Indio Desert Circuit, 2-12-06

• 1 – Camaron Hills Shan Roe- Camaron Hills Farm- Molly Talla – 0-0/44.06
• 2 – Lady-D- Oz Investments/Sequoia Farm- Jeff Campf – 0-8/44.51
• 3 – Eezy- Windfall Farm- Duncan McFarlane – 0-8/48.29
• 4 – Brillian- Watring/Ferder- Mark Watring – 1-97.15
• 5 – Del Destino- Peter Farlinger- Kim Farlinger – 4-87.31
• 6 – Urioso- Forest View Farms- John Pearce – 4-88.12
• 7 – Robinson- Half Moon Bay Investment- Richard Spooner – 4-88.48
• 8 – Sapphire- Watring/Hohannan- Mark Watring- 4-90.52
• 9 – Tedechine Sept- David M Robinson- Eddie Macken – 4-91.26
• 10 – Suncal’s King- Canyon Capital Inc- Joie Gatlin – 4-91.84
• 11 – Champagne- Forest View Farm- John Pearce – 4-93.06
• 12 – Archie Bunker- Forest View Farm- John Pearce – 4-93.85