March 16, 2024, Myakka City, Florida. Thirty five horse-and-rider combinations from nine countries took center stage this morning for the $65,000 The Estates at TerraNova FEI 1.45m Grand Prix at the TerraNova Winter Series Week III. The first-round track produced just four clear riders in a star-studded lineup that included four Olympians, but it was Lillie Keenan (USA) and Kick On (Warrior x Sussex Caretino) who emerged victorious.
“I only bought him at the end of last year from David Blake and Amanda Derbyshire,” Keenan said. “We just started jumping FEI two or three weeks ago. Before that he had really just jumped nationally in England, and even though he’s ten, he maybe doesn’t have the most international experience. You wouldn’t know that riding him; I think that he’s an incredibly talented horse and there’s just something about him that we get along so well.”
Following 3.3 seconds behind Keenan was Stinnett aboard the Heathman Farm LLC’s Storiall Blue (Stakkato x Corialla), who spent last winter training under Keenan’s tutelage. “This is my first time competing against Lillie, but I don’t think the student was ready to surpass the master just yet,” Stinnett said. “We’ve worked so hard to get here. This horse is everything to me and I just thought about being good for him.”
Rounding out the top three was Brazilian rider Luiz Fransisco de Azevedo aboard Perte Totale de Res Nova (Comme I’m Faut x Musica Do Magico), a nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding. “We love showing here,” Azevedo said. “It’s a great atmosphere and the horses love it.”
Shannon E. Hicks and Halo de Maugre Win the $20,000 Laughlin Tanner Group at Premier Sotheby’s International Realty 1.35m National Prix
Following the grand prix, the $20,000 Laughlin Tanner Group at Premier Sotheby’s International Realty 1.35m National Prix had 15 entries try their hand in a 16-effort track followed by an immediate jump-off. In the end, it was Shannon E. Hicks (St. Louis, Missouri) and Halo de Maugre (For Pleasure x Finesse Du Seigneur) who secured the win by more than one second.
Argentina’s Luis Pedro Biraben secured the reserve honors with a jump-off time of 38.536 seconds aboard Solaguayre Sandalo (Sandro Boy x Corralina), a warmblood gelding owned by La Cuadra Stables LLC.
The top three was rounded out with Victoria Ketchum (Wellington, Florida) aboard Arusha (Eldorado Van de Zeshoek x Stakkora), a 12-year-old Oldenburg mare owned by Copperline Farm LLC, who finished on with a jump-off time of 39.799.