Press release from Thunderbird Show Park, edited by World of Showjumping

Susan Horn (CAN) said she’s out of practice after being sidelined by surgery, but you’d never know it from the way she streaked around the jump-off on Saturday.

In a dramatic comeback, the Canadian rider piloted Chacca Keeps II (Chacco-Blue x For Keeps) to victory in the CSI2* Grand Prix, shaving more than a second off the leading time to stop the clock at 35.36 seconds. It was her first international appearance of 2026.

“I’m a bit rusty. I sustained a pretty bad injury in 2024 and [had] three surgeries, the last of which was in December of last year,” Horn explained. “This is the first time I’ve actually jumped over 1.35m [this year].”

Gregory Bodo’s 1.45m short course saw five return and the lead change hands with nearly every combination. As the final pair in the ring, Horn saved the best for last, relegating USA’s Laura Hazlett and Avianna (Air Jordan Z x Cassini II) to second in 36.68 seconds. Canada’s Kassidy Keith and Havana (Cardento x Judgement) rounded out the all-female podium in 37.02 seconds.

Horn was quick to credit her veteran partner for making her return to the ring possible: “I’m so glad that she’s so experienced and has been maintained so well by everyone to get me back here. She knows exactly where she’s going. I just encourage her when I need to, sit back when I need to and she knows the job.”

The partnership between the Canadian rider and 16-year-old mare is a proven one, spanning eight years—and appears to be only getting better. Both of their two career Grand Prix wins have been earned in the past year. 

“A good friend of mine found her as an eight-year-old,” said Horn. “She’s a very special mare. She is very sensitive. She’s very forward-going. She has more blood than most creatures I’ve ever sat on, and when he identified that, he knew exactly who that horse should be for. She is now 16, so I’ve had her for a very long time. She has been a very reliable partner.”

Also special, noted Horn: three women standing atop the leaderboard. “It’s meaningful. It’s very good to see other women going around and dominating.”