Three-Peat! Lillie Keenan Conquers the $200,000 Kubota Grand Prix CSI 5*

By Jumper News USA on August 19, 2024

Rockwood, Toronto, Ontario, Canada – August 17, 2024 – Lillie Keenan’s (USA) five-star grand prix tally rose to three on Saturday evening at Major League Show Jumping Toronto. Riding Kick On for Chansonette Farm, Keenan won the $200,000 Kubota Grand Prix CSI 5* in front of an electric crowd at Angelstone Tournaments. The Trelawny Trailblazers rider has now won a hat trick of five-star grand prix after clinching the MLSJ Monterrey Grand Prix in 2022 with Queensland E and again last year in Ottawa aboard her FEI World Equestrian Games mount, Argan de Beliard.

“I knew that my horse could win this class if I was on the job” said Keenan of Kick On, known fondly as “Ken” around the barn. “I didn’t get in his way tonight.”

Kick On, a 10-year-old BE/SIES (Warrior x Cartino Glory), had never jumped a five-star grand prix before attacking Guilherme Jorge’s (BRA) track under the lights on Saturday.

“Every time I walk any jump-off class, I make sure to walk the jump-off; I like to have a plan and a number of strides,” said Keenan of her approach to the grand prix course. “I knew with Kent behind me, I was going to have to go flat out if I wanted to beat him. There’s been quite a few times I’ve been a bridesmaid to him, so it was nice to get in front of him.”

**Kent Farrington** (USA) & **Toulayna**

The 2023 winner of the MLSJ Toronto Grand Prix, Kent Farrington (USA) gave his best effort on Toulayna, a 10-year-old Toulon daughter, but couldn’t catch Keenan. She stopped the clock more than a second faster in 39.17 seconds, while world no. 6 Farrington broke the beam in 40.57 seconds for owner Rabbit Root Stables.

“That’s a great thing about Major League; we have so many top riders, and we really push each other to keep improving,” continued Keenan. “I’d love to go two-for-two in Ottawa. I’m going to bring back Argan de Beliard and try to keep rolling on this high.”

Rounding out the top three, Ireland’s David O’Brien (IRL) capped out a banner week in third aboard El Balou OLD. After helping team Helios to a win on Friday, he and the 12-year-old (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x Balou du Rouet) owned by Leap Year Farm together with Chansonette Farm came in at 42.06 seconds.

As MLSJ Toronto comes to a close, The League heads to the Canadian capital of Ottawa for leg three of the 2024 season at Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments’ Wesley Clover Parks. Re-watch all MLSJ Toronto action on MLSJ TV.