Langley, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada – April 21, 2024 – Kassidy Keith ( CAN ) does n’t always win in the Grand Prix ring at Thunderbird Show Park, but when she does, it ’s often with Havana.
The former couple started their 2024 winter at tbird’s April Season Opener the same way they ended it the year prior—with a success. In September 2023, Keith and her quick sea capped their U25 job with a pair of win at tbird’s Harvest Celebration. This year, they’re again at tbird and again atop the floor as winners of the week’s feature function, the$ 10,000 Maui Jim 1. 40m Grand Prix.
“Havana and I normally take a break [over the winter], ” said Keith, who runs Keepsake Farm in Langley, BC with her mother Cheryl Keith. “ I went to California at the start of February and ended up doing the four sun the last week. I have n’t really jumped [ Havana] since we got house. ”
As it turned out, one 1. 35m warm-up school on Friday was all they needed. Six pairs found a clear path around Chris Jones ’ first round Grand Prix track to advance to the jump off—among them , American Olympic and known speed risk Katie Laurie on all three of her saddles.
Subsequent to return for the little course , Keith and Havana set a quick standard, using the mare’s well-honed turning ability and their well-established association to their advantage.
“[ My strategy ] was just to be smooth, but I had to take the risks that needed to be done because [Katie] trips really hard, ” said Keith, noting that she has total trust in Havana. “ I turned very strong [to the double], and I simply pulled on the left grip and she was right that with me. ”
An inside change after the Maui Jim horizontal gave Keith a direct shot to tilt the final oxer, setting up a quick restart to the last vertical. The couple stopped the time in 44. 87 hours. Their day not only held up, it proved to be two and a half minute fastest.
Georgia Knight ( CAN), who swept the U25 division this month, slotted into minute on new attach Ero Del Pierire in 47. 21 moments as the only other triple clear on the day.
Katie Laurie ( AUS) took third on Tuluar Zirȩnsky with four faults in a time of 48. 73 hours.
Havana has been under Keith’s horse since age four. Developed by the 26-year-old horse up to the 4* levels, the 12-year-old horse is something of a 1. 40m expert. In 29 foreign begins at the top, the pair boasts a 59 % obvious round average and ordinary only 1. 5 faults , according to Jumpr App.
This time, Keith has her sights set on mαjor sports with the horse.
“My aims for 2024 with Havana are to climb a five star Grand Prix, whether that ’s at the start of the year or the end of the year, and just to be consistent with her. [ We plan to ] jump the three stars [at tbird], working towards some World Cup qualifiers again in the fall. ”
National jumping continues next week at tbird with the Spring Festival, April 24–28. Catch all the action from the Thunderbird Arena live on tbird Television, powered by Horse & Country.
Last Benefits –$ 10,000 Maui Jim Grand Prix – 1. 40m
1 ) Kassidy Keith ( CAN ) & Havana / Kassidy Keith – 0/ 0 – 44. 87
2 ) Georgia Knight ( CAN ) & Ero Del Pierire / Georgia Knight – 0 / 0 – 47. 21
3 ) Katie Laurie ( AUS) & Tulara Zirensky / Katie Laurie– 0/ 4 – 48. 73
Origin: Press Release by Catie Staszak / Catie Staszak Media for Thunderbird Show Park
Photos: © Tbird / Kady Dane Photography
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Categories: CSN, English, Jumper News Canada
