Text © World of Showjumping

Lillie Keenan (USA) and the 12-year-old stallion Kick On (Warrior x Caretino Glory) won the second qualifier for the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen, Saturday’s CSI5* 1.55m competition with a jump-off.

Thirteen pairs cleared the first-round track set by Frank Rothenberger (GER), but the battle was left between twelve as Rene Dittmer (GER) opted to withdraw with Cody 139 (Casall x Quidam de Revel). With a time of 38.21 seconds in the jump-off, Keenan – the current world number 34 – and Kick On bested a field of 48 horse-and-rider combinations in front of a fully seated Soers showground. 

“The most important thing for me, especially with this horse, is to not force anything,” Keenan said afterwards. “He truly is the epitome of what I think makes our sport so special; that it is really a dance between a horse and rider, and it is a duet – you have to guide them, not command. That is really the way I think of it.”

“McLain always tells that I have to trust myself, and that will yield the best results,” Keenan reflected on the guidance from her trainer, the six-time US Olympian McLain Ward. “I think I managed to do that today. I trusted my horse, and tried to ride as me and not try to be somebody else.”

Abdel Saïd (BEL) and Wathnan Bonne Amie (A Big Boy x Landfriese) took the runner-up spot with a clear in 39.59, while the last to go, Jose Maria Larocca Jr. (ARG) and Chris (Contendro I x Argentinus), slotted into third when crossing the finish line in 40.10 seconds. Jérôme Guery (BEL) and Quito de Mariposa (Comme Il Faut x Air Jordan Z) followed in fourth, while Ben Maher (GBR) aboard Point Break (Action-Breaker x Balou du Rouet) finished fifth.