The $20,000 Maui Jim Grand Prix came down to a match race on Saturday at Thunderbird Show Park’s Harvest Festival. The tough and technical track produced just a pair of clear rounds, setting the stage for a two-horse race in the jump off.
When the dust settled, it was Kassidy Keith (CAN) and her veteran partner Havana who emerged victorious, stopping the timers in 44.91 seconds. USA’s Reagan Tomb, 19, finished second aboard Clan de Nyze Z with 13 faults in 63.25 seconds. She also took third on Nijinsky 10.
The winding 16-effort track demanded accuracy from start to finish.
“I thought walking it, it was not huge, but it was quite technical,” Keith said. “There were a lot of turns—there’s been a lot of turns all week.
“There was a decision at the end of the ring where you rode up in seven [strides] or did eight,” Keith explained. “But for Havana, I like to keep it forward. She always builds by the end of the course, so I chose seven, and I think it worked out beautifully.”
Tomb was first to return for the jump off and was on track to set a speedy standard with Ashley Papalia’s scopey grey when a drive-by at the double knocked them off track. The pair regrouped to finish on a positive note.
Keith, a known speed specialist, closed the door with an efficient double clear.
“The last thing that Reyhan [Haunert] said to me [before the first round] was, ‘You don’t want to be cautious just for a clear round,'” Keith recalled. “So I tried to keep it still on pace [for the jump off]. That being said, there was a little bit of an iffy last oxer, but it worked out.”
The victory capped a week that didn’t start as well as it ended for Keith.
“I did the Welcome [class], and Havana was really good. Unfortunately, I took the standard out with my right leg,” she chuckled. “And then today, she felt super. She’s feeling super going into the fall [season], so I’m excited.”
International show jumping returns to tbird next week with the CSI2* BCHJA Fall Finale. Tickets are on sale at tbird.ca/tickets.
$20,000 Maui Jim Grand Prix Top 10
| Rank | Horse | Rider | Nation | Owner | Faults | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HAVANA | KASSIDY KEITH | CAN | KASSIDY KEITH | 0 / 0 | 44.91 |
| 2 | CLAN DE NYZE Z | REAGAN TOMB | USA | ASHLEY PAPALIA | 0 / 13 | 63.25 |
| 3 | NIJINSKY 10 | REAGAN TOMB | USA | GREG TOMB | 2 | 84.12 |
| 4 | MACGYVER | LAURA JANE TIDBALL | CAN | THUNDERBIRD / ATTACHE STABLES | 2 | 84.26 |
| 5 | HIPPY BOY D AZUR | STELLA CHERNOFF | CAN | STUMP LAKE RANCH AND CATTLE CO LTD | 4 | 77.48 |
| 6 | DAWSONS GOLD | CHRISTOPHER FELLERS | USA | KERRI GROSSLIGHT | 4 | 81.5 |
| 7 | INDIANA II | SLOANE BETKER | CAN | SLOANE BETKER | 6 | 84.01 |
| 8 | KANNANDINE | BRADEN JAMES | CAN | STUMP LAKE RANCH AND CATTLE CO LTD | 8 | 76.28 |
| 9 | NEFRIEDA | JAMIE GORNALL | GBR | PEYTON KRAHENBUHL | 8 | 78.96 |
| 10 | APOLLO Z | EMMELINE ADAMICK | USA | HAWK HOLLOW FARM | 8 | 82.58 |
Photo credit: Kady Dane Photography
