Pik L and Son Pikk Primero Win at the 124th National Horse Show

Albuquerque, NM—Horses Unlimited’s flagship stallion Pik L continued his winning ways at the 124th National Horse Show in Wellington, Florida with two wins at Intermediaire II. The handsome bay by Pik Bube II has won Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire I classes at the most prestigious shows in the country and now continues into the large tour classes. His son Pikk Primero also competed and won in the young horse division.

“I’ve never won at a show with both a stallion and his son or daughter,” says rider Mikala Gundersen. “It was really fun and obviously it shows Pik L’s class as both a competitor and as a sire.” Although Pik L came to Gundersen’s farm in January 2007, she had little chance to get to know him as Susan Dutta took up the reins in an effort to compete at the Pan American Games. The duo made their way to Brazil as the reserve horse for the gold medal winning team. After the fun in South America, Gundersen began to build Pik L’s strength for the I-2 and Grand Prix.

“I really don’t know Pik L in the showring yet. It was funny, we came into the ring and he was like, ‘Why are we piaffing and passaging in the showring?’ He certainly has the capability for Grand Prix. We are just working on the strength,” Gundersen explains. “He came to the show in a great mood and I have no doubt that he absolutely loves to show. I didn’t have to push him at all. He says, ‘Let me show you around the show Mikala.’” The pair won the I-2 class with a 65.122 and the FEI Test of Choice (I-2) with a 69.268%.

Pik L’s five year old son Pikk Primero did his father proud when he won the Young Horse Test of Choice class with a 75%. Gundersen says, “He’s a very talented young horse. He already has his flying changes and is very light moving. He has a super willing attitude and has the potential to go all the way.” Pikk Primero finished second in the FEI Five Year Old class at Dressage at Devon in September.

Pik L’s offspring have had a wonderful year. Pikko del Cerro won both USEF Four Year Old classes at Dressage at Devon with scores above 80%. He also claimed the USDF All Breeds Awards (AHS) for 4-year-old materiale stallions/geldings and finished second in the standings for USDF Horse of the Year 4 year old materiale stallions/geldings. Pikturesk not only won the High Score Award at the Phelpssports.com Palm Beach Dressage Derby, but he also won the USDF Horse of the Year Adult Amateur Training Level, with a score of 73.200% with owner Karen Williams. Another son, Pikk Pocket, qualified for the USDF Regional Championships and daughter Pickachu HU took home numerous children’s hunter championships.

Owner Ann Sparks says of Pik L, “The first day I saw him I knew he was special. I feel very fortunate to have him. It is a real privilege.”

Photo Credit: Pik L, Mikala Gundersen and Pikk Primero by Wellington Photo