Brooke Morin (USA) walked under the tower and into the Fort Grand Prix Arena for the CSI2* Paladin Risk Solutions Grand Prix knowing that in order to win her first international Grand Prix, she’d have to beat her coach.

“I got him two years ago. I watched him do a big Grand Prix at [Desert Horse Park], and I was just obsessed with him. I was lucky enough to try him and I just fell in love with him,”

Heading into the jump-off for the 1.40m Welcome at Thunderbird Show Park’s Western Family show, 19-year-old Brooke Morin (USA) knew she had a tough act to follow. Second to jump over Joey Rycroft’s (CAN) shortened course, Morin’s coach Kyle King (USA) had set a tough standard and was leading the class.