Lillie Keenan’s majestic partner Argan de Beliard — who helped the U.S. to team success — has jumped his last competition.
The handsome 16-year-old gray Selle Francais “carried me to some of the defining moments of my career,” recounted Lillie, who began showing him in 2022..
“He represented the United States with remarkable consistency and became one of America’s most reliable double-clear Nations Cup horses.”
U.S. Coach Robert Ridland had dubbed Lillie the “double-clean machine,” and some of those perfect rounds were produced with Argan, a son of MyLord Carthago.
Yet “what makes me proudest can’t be measured in results,” Lillie stated.
“Every time he walked into the ring, he fought for me. He gave me everything he had, every time I asked, and stayed at the top of the sport far longer than any of us dreamed possible. I can never repay that kind of heart and generosity.”
Argan de Belliard and Lillie Keenan competing for the USA.
Lillie thanked all the people who contributed to Argan’s success, starting with her mentor, McLain Ward, “for convincing me all those years ago that I simply had to buy `that white horse from Luis Sabino (Goncalves),’ and to Luis (a Portugese rider) for trusting me with him.
“Thank you to our vets, Heather Sherman, Emmanuelle Van Erck and Frederik Bruyninx, for always going the extra mile and believing in Argan, Thank you to his farriers, Pierre Renault and Kenan Burgaud, who found the recipe for Argan’s perfect shoeing for sport.. Finally, thank you to his long time groom, Corentin Tual. Having someone by Argan’s side who cared for him as much as I did means more than I could ever say. His success belongs to all of you.”
She pointed out that “What makes this moment especially meaningful is that Argan gets to leave the sport healthy, happy, and on his own terms. There’s no greater reward than giving him the retirement he has so completely earned. Thank you to the team at Llangollen for taking Argan through this next chapter.”
She concluded, “Thank you, Argan. You gave me your best every single time. Now it’s our turn to give you the retirement you deserve.”