In the first leg of the Longines FEI Wold Cup Show Jumping Finals Thursday, the U.S. was on the podium courtesy of Lillie Keenan, who last month turned in two faultless rounds as the pathfinder for the winning American.effort in the Longines League of Nations/ Ocala.
The one-round speed segment of the three-part Cup competition in Basel, Switzerland belonged to France’s Julien Epaillard, known for his ability to beat the clock. He and Donatello D’Auge, a horse who “is like family to us” handled Gerard Lechat’s course in 60.30 seconds. Ben Maher of Great Britain finished just 0.13 seconds behind on Point Break, despite the handicap of riding with a broken foot. Lillie, aboard Kick On, was timed in 60.69 seconds.
“I left out (strides) in a few places that for sure were risky, but I knew my horse could do it,” Lillie said.
When there was a question, Kick On answered.
“He knew, `This is what mom says, so this is what we’re gonna do.’ I think that’s a testimony to the partnership and how special our sport is,” observed Lillie, ranked world number 28.
Lillie Keenan and Kick On in Basel. (©ShannonBrinkmanPhotography/Photo courtesy U.S. Equestrian)
While she had qualified for World Cup finals previously, Lillie didn’t go because she didn’t want to push it unless she felt she had a real chance.
Although she has been partnered with her son of Warrior only for 18 months, the horse has come a long way from the 2-star competitions he was jumping then.
“We only took a step forward when he told me he could. He reminded me every time he went in the ring that he was ready,” commented Lillie, who is a protege of U.S. team anchor McLain Ward. He is on hand in Switzerland to help her.
Lillie’s bay stallion was purchased from Amanda Derbyshire and David Blake. Prior to Lillie getting him, the horse had only jumped in England, where he was bred, with one side tour to Belgium.
“He was not a standout as a young horse,” commented Lillie, but noted that wound up being a plus, because he wasn’t rushed.
He reminded her of her Young Rider horse, Super Sox, and that was a selling point.
“His markings were very similar,” she mused.
“There was something about the expression in the horse’s eye. I rode him and I felt this very strong bond, I felt like he was right there with me. There was something so reminiscent of SuperSox.
“I called my dad up and said, `He’s just like Sox, and we have to have him.’ I feel like the horse’s heart is really in the sport. I think everything he does is for me.”
The rest of the American contingent is far behind the leaders, which puts pressure on Lillie, but she doesn’t mind.
“In my opinion, pressure is a privilege,” she explained.
“The person that puts the most expectation on myself is me. And I know how special my horse is. I just want to do a good job for him and hopefully come away with a great result.”
The USA’s Katie Dinan, clocked in 64.76 seconds with Out of the Blue SCF, was in the money with an eleventh place finish. Allessandra Volpi and Gipsy Love of the U.S. were right behind in twelfth, tied with Germany’s Richard Vogel on United Touch S. Both were timed in 64.81 seconds.
No other U.S. riders finished in the top 20 of the class, which drew 39 starters.
World Cup action resumes Friday with a jump-off class.
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