In the BCHJA Fall Finale at Thunderbird Show Park, Aldergrove's Kassidy Keith and trusted mare Havana jumped a tight second place in the 1.30m Grand Prix at the end of last month. 

Keith's time of 36.59 seconds was bested by Idaho-based Rachel Long alongside her seven-year-old Swiss Warmblood Talisman D, who finished with a time of 35.75 seconds in an 11-horse jump off in the final grand prix of tbird's 2024 season. 

鈥淭his is a very new horse to me鈥擨鈥檝e had him about six weeks鈥攁nd he鈥檚 quite young. He鈥檚 just seven,鈥� said Long.

Keith and Long were the only two pairs to eclipse Meghan Rawlin's short course. 

鈥淗onestly, I just wanted to be tidy [in the turns]. I watched [a few other riders go] and I kind of knew where I wanted to be. I didn鈥檛 know if I could get there, but you go and hope for the best and he was unbelievable. He was fantastic. He felt amazing. He was right there with me.

鈥淗e actually saved my bacon at the last jump. I got a little too excited,鈥� she laughed.

Long got the seven strides too early to the final fence, but said the turns are where she believes she caught Keith鈥檚 time.

鈥淗e鈥檚 a naturally quick horse across the ground. He doesn鈥檛 necessarily look it, but he has a massive stride. So going through the corners and keeping that rhythm going took care of the rest.鈥�

Long is leaving tbird on a high note after returning for the first time in five years.

鈥淚 love it here. I would show here every weekend if we could.鈥�

Tbird will return in 2025.