AldergroveB次元官网网址檚 Kassidy Keith doesnB次元官网网址檛 always win in the Grand Prix ring at Thunderbird Show Park, but when she does, itB次元官网网址檚 often with Havana.
The veteran pair started their 2024 season at tbirdB次元官网网址檚 April Season Opener the same way they ended it the year priorB次元官网网址攚ith a victory. In September 2023, Keith and her speedy bay capped their U25 career with a pair of wins at tbirdB次元官网网址檚 Harvest Celebration. This week, they were back at tbird and back atop the podium as winners of the weekB次元官网网址檚 feature event, the $10,000 Maui Jim 1.40m Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon, April 21.
from on .
B次元官网网址淗avana and I normally take a break [over the winter],B次元官网网址� said Keith, who runs Keepsake Farm with her mother Cheryl Keith. B次元官网网址淚 went to California at the start of February and ended up doing the four star the last week. I havenB次元官网网址檛 really jumped [Havana] since we got home.B次元官网网址�
As it turned out, one 1.35m warm-up class on Friday was all they needed. Six pairs found a clear path around Chris JonesB次元官网网址� first round Grand Prix track to advance to the jump offB次元官网网址攁mong them, Australian Olympian and known speed threat Katie Laurie on all three of her mounts.
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Second to return for the short course, Keith and Havana set a speedy standard, using the mareB次元官网网址檚 well-honed turning ability and their well-established partnership to their advantage.
B次元官网网址淸My strategy] was just to be smooth, but I had to take the risks that needed to be done because [Katie] rides really fast,B次元官网网址� said Keith, noting that she has complete trust in Havana. B次元官网网址淚 turned super sharp [to the double], and I just pulled on the left rein and she was right there with me.B次元官网网址�
VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Georgia Knight , who swept the U25 division this week, slotted into second on new mount Ero Del Pierire in 47.21 seconds as the only other double clear on the day. AustraliaB次元官网网址檚 Katie Laurie took third on Tuluar Zirensky with four faults in a time of 48.73.
Havana has been under KeithB次元官网网址檚 saddle since age four. Developed by the 26-year-old rider up to the 4* level, the 12-year-old mare is something of a 1.40m specialist. In 29 international starts at the height, the pair boasts a 59 per cent clear round average and average just 1.5 faults, according to Jumpr App.
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This year, Keith has her sights set on top sport with the mare.
B次元官网网址淢y goals for 2024 with Havana are to jump a five star Grand Prix, whether thatB次元官网网址檚 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.B次元官网网址�
National jumping continues next week at tbird with the Spring Festival, April 24B次元官网网址�28.
