In the heart of the American desert, Thermal, the Major League Showjumping team competition took center stage on Friday. The Trailblazers team emerged victorious, with standout performances from American riders Lillie Keenan and Natalie Dean, as well as Irish rider Conor Swail. Keenan partnered with Kick On (Warrior), while Dean rode Viktor Daem's former mount, Oasis van de Bucxtale (Quinn vd Heffinck). Swail completed the winning trio with Casturano (Castelan I).
“It was a very important night for us,” said Swail of the MLSJ team competition held as part of Desert Holiday 1, at the Desert International Horse Park. “It is quite exciting as a spectator. There are at least four teams that are capable of winning next week. We do have a very, very strong team.”
On their way to Friday’s win, that team was one of four to stay above the “cutline,” qualifying them to advance out of the first, eight-team opening round to the four-team second round.
“The first round maybe didn’t go the way that we planned,” said Swail, referencing the fact that both he and Keenan had one rail down apiece. “I thought Lillie’s horse [Kick On] jumped great. She was a wee bit unlucky. I made a mistake on that rollback, so it put us on the back foot a little bit. Thankfully, Natalie was super all night, and she kept us in it for that first round. Thankfully, we hung on, and we got into the second phase. Then, it was all good!”
In a thrilling jump-off, Trailblazers edged out Maccabi United, represented by Vanessa Hood (Burlington Riverland), Thaisa Erwin (Hialita B) and Luis Larrazaba (Condara)l. Team Northern Lights, featuring Belgian champion Jos Verlooy (FTS Killossery Konfusion), claimed the third spot. Verlooy was joined in his team by Sean JObin (Coquelicot vh Heuvelland Z) and Abdulrahman Alrajhi (Iniesta V).
Nicola Philippaerts wins individual ranking!
Belgium's Nicola Philippaerts secured the individual win aboard his Selle Francais stallion, Derby de Riverland. Philippaerts and Derby finished nearly two seconds ahead of Roberto Teran Tafur and Iron Maiden. Carlos Hank Guerreiro rounded out the top three.
Jos Verlooy (BEL) finished just outside the top three aboard his trusted grey FTS Killossery Konfusion (Livello). Luis Fernando Larrazabal and Condara (Conthargos) claimed fifth place.
“It was a very important night for us,” said Swail of the MLSJ team competition held as part of Desert Holiday 1, at the Desert International Horse Park. “It is quite exciting as a spectator. There are at least four teams that are capable of winning next week. We do have a very, very strong team.”
On their way to Friday’s win, that team was one of four to stay above the “cutline,” qualifying them to advance out of the first, eight-team opening round to the four-team second round.
“The first round maybe didn’t go the way that we planned,” said Swail, referencing the fact that both he and Keenan had one rail down apiece. “I thought Lillie’s horse [Kick On] jumped great. She was a wee bit unlucky. I made a mistake on that rollback, so it put us on the back foot a little bit. Thankfully, Natalie was super all night, and she kept us in it for that first round. Thankfully, we hung on, and we got into the second phase. Then, it was all good!”
In a thrilling jump-off, Trailblazers edged out Maccabi United, represented by Vanessa Hood (Burlington Riverland), Thaisa Erwin (Hialita B) and Luis Larrazaba (Condara)l. Team Northern Lights, featuring Belgian champion Jos Verlooy (FTS Killossery Konfusion), claimed the third spot. Verlooy was joined in his team by Sean JObin (Coquelicot vh Heuvelland Z) and Abdulrahman Alrajhi (Iniesta V).
Nicola Philippaerts wins individual ranking!
Belgium's Nicola Philippaerts secured the individual win aboard his Selle Francais stallion, Derby de Riverland. Philippaerts and Derby finished nearly two seconds ahead of Roberto Teran Tafur and Iron Maiden. Carlos Hank Guerreiro rounded out the top three.
Jos Verlooy (BEL) finished just outside the top three aboard his trusted grey FTS Killossery Konfusion (Livello). Luis Fernando Larrazabal and Condara (Conthargos) claimed fifth place.