THERMAL, Calif.--The Trelawny Trailblazers team of Lillie Keenan, Conor Swail of Ireland and Daniel Bluman of Israel won its second consecutive Major League Show Jumping Team Championship on Saturday evening, Dec. 14.
Conor Swail on My Lady Lavista (Photo by High Desert Sport Photo)In this very confusing competition, eight teams of about six riders each compete through the year, and with so many riders on a team, entries are often unknown until the competition actually begins.
Along with Bluman, Keenan and Swail , the Trailblazers included Natalie Dean, Charlotte Jacobs and Darragh Kenny of Ireland.
Heading into the final, the Trailblazers were third in the overall standings, but team owner and manager Cara Raether Carey chose Bluman, Keenan and Swail to ride on Saturday night.
At the conclusion of round one, the field of eight teams was narrowed to the top four to advance to rounds two and three.
For the Trailblazers, clear rounds from Bluman on Corbie V.V. and Swail on My Lady Lavista guaranteed them the chance to come back to vie for the win.
“I jumped My Lady Lavista last night, and it didn’t go as planned,” said Swail. “We sort of unraveled a little bit. I felt I didn’t do a good enough job with her, and she got a little bit edgy. So obviously coming into tonight, I wasn’t just brimming with confidence, but I trusted the mare. She warmed up beautifully. It was a difficult course, and when I went in, I knew I needed a clear round to make sure we were going to go through [to the second round]. Lady felt so comfortable, and I was really clear with my plan and how to ride her. Everything came up perfectly.”
FROM THERE, it was on to round two, where Bluman and Keenan both went clean.
Lillie Keenan on Kick On (Photo by High Desert Sport Photo)“It all comes down to putting the team before you put yourself,” said Bluman. “We managed to do that really well with the guidance of Cara. We understand that whatever the decision is, and when we are selected to jump in the team, we need to give it a good shot and deliver. So, we’re putting really good horses and really good riders.”
“For me, I rode Lady, my best horse who I think, humbly, is one of the best horses in the world right now," said Bluman. "She’s a 9-year-old that is incredibly special. So that shows you how much it matters to me to perform in the League!”
“My favorite events are always the team events, whether it’s team USA or for the Trailblazers,” said Keenan. “This season, I had an opportunity to jump a younger horse; Kick On is a horse that is only started jumping this level. I really used these events to develop my partnership with him, and obviously he ended up being a star for these types of classes. It really was a matter of growing by doing, and obviously riding amongst these riders, you want to always give your best because every event we have a chance to win.”
With the clear rounds from Bluman and Keenan turned in in round two, it all came down to an exciting gold-medal jump-off between Swail and Patricio Pasquel representing the Archers, with Swail ultimately emerging victorious.
For the Irish rider, the team win helped to make up for the disappointment of an abrupt change of plans at the beginning of the week.
Daniel Blluman on Corbie V.V. (Photo by High Desert Sport Photo)“I was supposed to be in Geneva. It’s a little disappointing not being able to jump in the Rolex IRJC Top 10 Final, which is a great achievement,” said Swail, whose flight to Switzerland for his horses was unexpectedly canceled. “You know the flight got cancelled, it’s beyond our control. So, for me, I’m meant to be here this week. Thankfully, Cara decided to stick me on the team with Lady. Lady’s a little less experienced then some of the horses. I haven’t had her just quite as long, but she has been jumping very well. She’s been in great form. Thankfully tonight, she produced two beautiful rounds.”
The Trailblazers were helped by the fact that other teams in the competition had lost their best riders as McLain Wrar, Kent Farrington and Richie Vogel were in Geneva for the Top10 competition.
With the win in the final team competition of the season – for which teams earned double the points – the Trailblazers finished the year with a winning 136 points.
Second place in the overall standings wtih 122 points went to the home team, the DIHP Roadrunners, and in third and sharng the final portion of the $500,000 season-ending bonus money, was Maccabi United on 115 points.
But of course, there was no mention of who was on those teams.
