San Juan Capistrano, California, USA – May 11, 2023 – Lillie Keenan (USA) kicked off CSIO 5* competition at the San Juan Capistrano International CSIO 5* with victory in the CHF $68,000 Welcome Speed CSIO 5*, presented by South Coast Plaza, on Thursday, May 11, in San Juan Capistrano, CA. 

Keenan and her longtime partner, Agana van het Gerendal Z, were one of 27 entries in Thursday afternoon’s featured event at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park. When the 26-year-old entered the ring, the time to beat had been set at 62.75 seconds by fellow U.S. teammate Laura Kraut (USA) aboard Calgary Tame.

As the third to last to contest the track set by renowned Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios, Keenan and Agana van het Gerendal Z blazed through the finish in a winning 58.96 seconds. Kraut and Calgary Tame, owned by Eugenie Angot and Stars and Stripes, finished in second, and Matt Archer and Luigi vd Bisschop took third to sweep the podium positions for the U.S. team.

“There were a few places that I felt like I should have done one less stride, but it worked out!” said Keenan of her round. “I had an advantage because I went later in the class. I took every shot I could. I got to watch Laura [Kraut], and I thought she was really quick. She’s always super competitive. It’s hard to beat Laura when she’s at the top of the leaderboard.”

In addition to the advantage of going toward the end of the class, Keenan also had her longtime relationship with her 12-year-old Zangersheide stallion, “Aggie,” on her side.

“We really grew up together,” explained Keenan, who purchased the stallion six years ago. “I bought him as a young horse, and we’ve gone through every stage. I jumped him in all the youngster finals, and now I’m jumping him in grand prix. He’s really been a heart horse and a family horse. Our partnership has become really strong because of the people around us – my head groom Cory Tual and my mom, who has been the biggest believer in Aggie from the beginning. He’s a horse that every time that you go to a show, you have a chance to win any class you put him in.”  

With Thursday’s win under her belt, Keenan will now set her sights on Sunday’s Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup^TM USA where she will compete as part of the U.S. contingent alongside teammates Shawn Casady, Karl Cook, Laura Kraut (USA) and McLain Ward (USA).

“Coming to California is obviously a really exciting week for us,” said Keenan, who is competing in San Juan Capistrano for the first time, having only previously made the trip to Blenheim EquiSports’ hosted events at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park to judge the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals – West.  “It’s our home Nations Cup, and it’s a really important week. So, to start out with a win – it’s the right way to start! Hopefully the team can continue the form.

“I am thrilled to be in California and showing at Blenheim,” concluded Keenan. “To be showing on this field, which is so beautiful, it’s really a wonderful change. It’s nice that it’s at home. We have the home crowd. I think the whole team is really excited about being here this week.”

For Thursday’s win, Keenan received a a Topline Design Ribbon Wreaths custom shadowbox, a Riderzon gift certificate and a Baccarat engraved vase from South Coast Plaza. For full results of the class, click here.

Competition at the San Juan Capistrano International CSIO5* continues through Sunday, with the highlight events including Friday’s CHF200,000 CSIO5* Longines Grand Prix, Saturday’s $77,300 CSI2* San Juan Capistrano International Grand Prix and Sunday’s grand finale CHF250,000 CSIO5* Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup USA. To learn more, visit USANationsCup.com.

Final Results – $68,000 South Coast Plaza Welcome Speed CSIO 5*

1) Lillie Keenan (USA) & Agana van het Gerendal Z – 0 / 0 – 58.96

2) Laura Kraut (USA) & Calgary Tame– 0 / 0 – 62.75

3) Matt Archer (USA) & Luigi vd Bisschop – 0 / 0 – 63.39 

Source: Press Release from Blenheim EquiSports

Photos: ©  McCool Photography

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