Text © World of Showjumping

It was a determined Lillie Keenan (USA) that set off with her 10-year-old stallion Agana van het Gerendal Z (Aganix du Seigneur x Topas) in the 1.45m SAP Prize at CHIO Aachen this morning. The 24-year-old American rider wanted the win, and she got it – stylishly speeding around with her lovely stallion to an unbeatable time of 57.43 seconds.

“I think this horse is growing into a super-star,” Keenan said after her win. “I have had him since he was six and have tried not to rush him. Every single class he goes into, he tries to win so I am just glad I could do my job today.”

“Aggie is bred by Ben Verheij, who is actually here today. I have never had a horse with a mentality like him,” Keenan smiled. “He is obviously a stallion, but at home my mum – who will not like that I say this, but she is 70 years old – rides him for me on the flat with a snaffle and no spurs. His character is unparalleled, I have had plenty of horses in my life, but not one like him. As soon as he gets to a show, he completely changes, and he grows. A lot of horses, the first time they walk into that arena, they can be a bit intimidated but actually it made him a better horse. I’m really lucky every show I get to bring him to, because he always tries to win!”

Felipe Amaral (BRA) and Germanico T (Numero Uno x Julius) came the closest to Keenan, taking the runner-up position in a time of 57.84 seconds. Third place went to another talented, young, American rider – Lucy Deslauriers with Enanada (Nabab de Reve x Holland) who crossed the finish line in 58.11 seconds.