Faster, Fasther, the “Fasthest”! Lillie Keenan Conquers the $215,000 NetJets Grand Prix CSI 4*

By Jumper News on 2026-01-25

Wellington, United States – January 24, 2026 – In front of a home crowd, Lillie Keenan (USA) and longtime partner Fasther took flight in a jump-off brimming with horse and rider talent to win the $215,000 NetJets Grand Prix CSI 4*, highlighting Saturday Night Lights during Week 3 at Wellington International’s Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).

A rising star with her sights set firmly on the 2026 World Championships, Keenan, 29, bested a field that included two Olympic champions and five of the world’s top 10 over tracks set by Canadian course designer Peter Grant (CAN). A daring rollback to the third fence and a leave-out in the final line left Keenan and her 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Vigo d’Arsouilles STX x Farmer) the eventual victors by three-tenths of a second.

**Shane Sweetnam** (IRL) & **Rural Juror SCF**

Irish Olympian Shane Sweetnam (IRL) came the closest to Keenan’s time of 40.56 seconds, narrowly missing top call with Spy Coast Farm’s Rural Juror SCF—a nine-year-old Danish Warmblood by Presley Boy.

He notched in at 40.87 seconds ahead of third-place finisher and Australian Olympian Thaisa Erwin (AUS). She piloted the 14-year-old Dutch-bred mare Hialita B, owned by Michael Smith.

“That final line was a risky moment, but I think it made the biggest difference,” said Keenan, who rides under the direction of six-time U.S. Olympian Mclain Ward.

“He was the first horse that Mclain selected for me and represents the important mentorship I have with him,” continued Keenan of Fasther, owned by her own Chansonette Farm. “He’s my heart horse—he has a fire inside of him; loves to jump, but he really loves to run. We struggled a lot at first with rideability, but I have grown up with him; I trust him so much, and he tries so hard for me.”

The New York native continued about the bond she has formed with Fasther during their seven years together, saying, “There are moments where I can go to a fence and think I should have ridden it better, and he turns himself inside out to jump it. He does that for me—I don’t think he would do that just for anyone.”

Only four weeks into the winter circuit at Wellington International and Keenan has already secured several impressive wins, including a CSI3* 1.50m blue aboard Chagrin d’Amour and a debut grand prix win with new mount Highway TN.

**Lillie Keenan** (USA), aboard Fasther, is presented with the Martha Jolicoeur, Douglas Elliman Leading Lady Rider Award by Martha Jolicoeur (right) and Dr. Stephen Norton (left).

“Coming off of last year, I really wanted to try to ride the momentum,” said Keenan, who was presented with the Martha Jolicoeur, Douglas Elliman Leading Lady Rider Award for the four-star week. “I’m in an incredibly lucky position to have multiple horses that can jump at this level, but that didn’t happen by chance—I’ve planned and worked hard towards building the string. I have some older, very experienced horses, and then some young ones just stepping up. You build that over years, and I want to make the most of this moment.”

**Corentin Tual** accepts the Double H Farm Grooms Award.

The final presentation of the evening was to Keenan’s groom Corentin Tual, who was honored with the Double H Farm Grooms Award and $500 prize for his care and preparation of Fasther.

In closing, Keenan noted that Wellington is a sentimental place for her to win at, saying, “It has become my home. I showed here for the first time when I was seven on ponies. Now I’m 29 in this ring—it feels special.”