Rowan Willis Claims tbird Grand Prix, but Kassidy Keith Steals the Spotlight

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01/05/2026

Langley, British Columbia — A thrilling finale unfolded in the tbird Arena as the 1.40m Grand Prix brought the Spring Festival to a close, delivering top sport and high drama down to the final fence. Australia’s Rowan Willis ultimately took top honours with a composed and efficient round aboard For Dilando PS, yet it was hometown favourite Kassidy Keith who ignited the crowd.

Willis stopped the clock at 39.02 seconds, a time that secured victory and underlined a near-dominant performance at the top of the leaderboard. New Zealand’s Katie Laurie followed in second and third place with Pretty Women (39.95) and ZF Chacco Rio (40.38), while Willis himself rounded out the top four aboard Cape Town (40.80). A clear “Down Under” stronghold on the final standings.

Yet the most electrifying moment of the competition belonged to Keith. In the 13-horse jump-off, the Canadian rider delivered a breathtaking round with Havana, stopping the clock in an astonishing 37.53 seconds—more than a second and a half faster than the eventual winning time. A bold, perfectly executed performance undone only by a single rail at the third-to-last fence, which dropped her to eighth place.

A result that hardly reflects the brilliance of her ride, but one that nevertheless left a lasting impression and brought the crowd to its feet.

For Willis, the victory was built on sharp tactical awareness. “I knew it would be a very fast jump-off given the field,” he said, referring to For Dilando PS, a 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding (For Pleasure x Chacco-Blue) that has been part of his string for just one year. “I had to leave one out from fence two to three and stay tight back to the double. I got a bit lucky at the last vertical, but luck was on our side today.”

The national Grand Prix attracted an international field featuring riders from Ireland, the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. In the end, however, the contest evolved into a trans-Tasman duel between Willis and Laurie, with Australia ultimately prevailing.

A competition that, through precision, speed and late drama, provided a fitting and memorable conclusion to the Canadian Spring Festival.

$10,000 tbird Grand Prix
Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Faults / Score