CALGARY, Canada--Lillie Keenan on Kick On won the 1.55m Cana Cup against a field of top international riders on Thursday, Sept. 20 at the Spruce Meadows Masters.

Lillie Keenan on Kick On (Photo by Mike Sturk)Keenan was clean in 41.03 to win over Sophie Hinners of Germany on Iron Dames My Prins, clean in 43.78, with Ben Maher of Great Britain on Catelly, clean in 47.11, third in a three horse jump-off.

Despite wet weather earlier in the day, the drizzle began to fade as competition got underway in the Cana Cup.

Knowing the strength of the field, FEI Course Designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezueal set a challenging track for the 54 competitors. 

Time was tight from the start, and only three managed to produce clear rounds and advance to the jump off.

With victory — and a coveted spot in Sunday’s ‘International’ Grand Prix— on the line, Keenan was the last of the three to return to the International Ring in the jump off.

 

THE PRESSURE was on, but Keenan executed her plan with precision.

Keenan delivered a fast, fault-free round, crossing the finish line in 41.03 seconds, over 2 1/2 seconds faster than Hinners, to claim the Cana Cup 1.55m and secure her place in Sunday’s ‘International’.

“What makes our sport so special is it's also an art," said Keenan. "And it's about that unison of the horse and the rider, and you have to do that under time pressure.”

"Kick On was unbelievable," she said. "Yesterday, I didn't ride my best, so there was a lot of pressure today. I went first on Fasther, the horse I'm going to ride Sunday, but he had a rail down."  

Earlier in the day, Conor Swail of Ireland on Casturano won the 1.50m Atco Cup.

For riders hoping to compete in Sunday’s Winning Round, the class before the Grand Prix, the ATCO Cup was an important opportunity, with only the top 30 from the 46 entries earning their place in the field.

Eleven were clean to advance to the jump-off, where rain added another challenge to an already competitive class.

But the wet weather was no trouble for the Irish.

Long-time Spruce Meadows competitor Swail was clean in 41.30 seconds to win over Nayel Nassar of Egypt on Orphea HQ, clean in 41.72m with Jack Whitaker of Great Britain on Skyfall OS third, clean in 41.92.

Spencer Smith on Keeneland was fifth, clean in 43.18.
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