Text © World of Showjumping

Lillie Keenan (USA) and the 11-year-old stallion Opium JW van de Moerhoeve TN (Kannan x Nabab de Reve) won Saturday’s CSI5* 1.40m Indoor Derby, the Van Schijndel Bouwgroep Prize, at the 2025-edition of The Dutch Masters in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands.

With a time of 81.60 seconds, the 29-year-old – currently the second highest ranked female rider in the world – took the top honours ahead of the hosts’ 24-year-old Mel Thijssen on Florida Balia NL (Bustique x Lux Z) a second behind in the runner-up spot. Tom Schellekens (NED) and Intressant van de Zietfort (Damian W x Padinus) completed the podium, placing third in 83.79, while Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER) on Jiniki (Dallas x Cantos) finished fourth and Henk van de Poel (NED) aboard No Fathers Girl (Verde Gaio x Eldorado vd Zeshoek) fifth.   

“Originally, I didn’t plan to do this class,” Keenan told World of Showjumping afterwards. “I came here with only two horses. Yesterday I thought that it would be a lot of fun to jump, and Opium I usually jump in 1.50m classes. He has really become my speed horse, and I thought this would be a low-pressure and fun class for him, since he does it so easy. It is great that traditional shows preserve these kind of classes where the crowd gets so involved. This is the first time I have ever jumped at The Dutch Masters. The only other Rolex Grand Slam events I have done are Aachen – where I have not jumped the Grand Prix yet – and Spruce Meadows Masters. When I got invited here, I knew I had to make it happen. I usually spend this time of year in Wellington, but I love showing in Europe – especially at these prestigious events. Just to come back to this atmosphere, in front of a crowd that is so educated and interested, it is really everything you would want as an athlete – in any sport.”