Ocala, Florida, USA – March 03, 2024 – The $50,000 MARS Equestrian National Grand Prix stole the spotlight this morning, featuring a strong lineup of competitors tackling yet another challenging course crafted by Catsy Cruz (MEX). In an exciting three-horse jump-off, Lillie Keenan (USA), riding McLain Ward’s Lezaro (Böckmann’s Lord Pezi x Landadel), delivered the sole double clear effort to clinch the victory.
Luis Sabino Gonçalves (POR) was the first to return for the jump-off. He piloted his winningest mare Vick du Croisy (Lord Carthago x Vondeen), a 15-year-old Selle Français mare owned by Sigma Stables LLC, to very fast track in 35.344 seconds but had an unfortunate rail at the final fence.
Rodrigo Lambre (BRA) was next in with the hopes of securing a double clear effort. Piloting Ilan Ferder’s 15-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare, J’Adore Van Het Klinkhof (Thunder Vd Zuuthoeve x Alcatraz), Lambre dashed around the track, but also fell victim to the final rail with a time of 37.862 seconds, placing him behind Goncavles on the leaderboard.
Finally, it was Lillie Keenan’s turn with the talented 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding. Reflecting on the course, Keenan remarked on its unexpected difficulty, “When I walked the course today, I was impressed. I wasn’t expecting it to be as hefty as it was,” she continued. “I was hoping the two before me would be clear in the jump-off, so I could really practice going all out. I still wanted to put a little bit of pressure on because if you have a silly rail, you don’t want to be out. My horse is particularly quick naturally, so I was just trying to be neat in the turns.”
Keenan and Lezaro made light work of the jump-off round, stopping the clock in a clear 40.341 seconds to take the win.
Keenan shared her experiences at World Equestrian Center – Ocala this week, “I brought some of my greener horses in my string to compete this week. I have a few older ones that I can always count on, but I need to start to support them with some younger ones. I brought three stallions, and the horse I won on today belongs to McLain Ward. He’s a gelding that has already won everything with McLain and I am very lucky to have some fun with him.”
“Coming to WEC, we always expect that the facility is unparallel, because there is nowhere in the world like this. For the horses it’s a really lovely experience. To have the opportunity to jump them under the lights with an atmosphere and crowd, it’s a great way to introduce them to the world’s biggest stage. Often horses don’t get to practice that.”
Final Results – $50,000 MARS Equestrian National Grand Prix
1) Lillie Keenan (USA) & Lezaro, McLain Ward: 0 | 0 | 40.341
2) Luis Sabino Gonçalves (POR) & Vick du Croisy, Sigma Stables LLC: 0 | 4 | 35.344
3) Rodrigo Lambre (BRA) & J’Adore Van Het Klinkhof, Ilan Ferder: 0 | 4 | 37.862
4) Robert Mendoza (USA) & United M, Holly McPherson: 5 | 81.310
5) Daniel Coyle (IRL) & Jasper, Ariel Grange: 8 | 76.834
6) Aaron Vale (USA) & Fleck, Thinkslikeahorse: 8 | 79.608
7) Ben Taylor (GBR) & Mescandro PS, Ben Taylor: 8 | 80.045
8) Addision Reed (USA) & Doc Di Villigana, Reed Training & Sales LLC: 8 | 84.167
9) Faith Davis (USA) & Carmit T, Faith Davis: 9 | 81.288
10) Samantha Schaefer (USA) & Frasier, Bonne Vie LLC: 12 | 76.029
Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center
Photo: © WEC / Andrew Ryback Photography
Categories: CSN, English, Global Champions Tour, Jumper News USA
