Thermal, CA – December 14, 2024 – In the most hotly contested season yet, 10 legs of Major League Show Jumping competition came down to one thrilling $1,000,000 MLSJ Cabana Coast Team Final on Saturday, December 14, at the Desert International Horse Park.
The battle for the MLSJ show jumping championship was neck-and-neck down to the final moments, but ultimately, it was the Trelawny Trailblazers who took home their second consecutive title.
The Trelawny Trailblazers topped the podium for the second year in a row. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
Heading into the final, the Trailblazers sat in third place in the overall standings, but when team owner and manager Cara Raether Carey tapped Daniel Bluman (ISR), Lillie Keenan (USA) and Conor Swail (IRL) to ride on Saturday night, she knew they could get the job done – and that’s just what they did.
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.
Conor Swail and My Lady Lavista. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“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 represented the Trailblazers flawlessly, each delivering fault-free performances.
For Bluman, the many clear rounds turned in by the Trailblazers are a testament to the quality of horses each of them is choosing to compete in the MLSJ team events.
Daniel Bluman and Corbie V.V. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“It all comes down to putting the team before you put yourself,” explained 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.”
In speaking of Corbie V.V., a Zangersheide mare, owned by Bluman and Abigail Wexner, Bluman continued, “For me, I rode my best horse who I think, humbly, is one of the best horses in the world right now. 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!”
Keenan – who was partnered with Chansonette Farm’s 10-year-old Warmblood stallion Kick On for the class – echoed similar sentiments as to the importance of the MLSJ team competitions.
Lillie Keenan and Kick On. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“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 has 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.
Conor Swail, Daniel Bluman and Lillie Keenan. 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,” explained 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 than 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.”
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 wih 122 points went to the home team, the DIHP Roadrunners. Rounding out the top three, and taking home the final portion of the $500,000 season-ending bonus money, was Maccabi United on 115 points.
While she was not competing on Saturday night, Bluman, Keenan and Swail were joined on the podium by fellow teammate Natalie Dean (USA), who, just a week prior, had anchored the team to victory in leg nine of MLSJ competition. Also currently on the Trelawny Trailblazers’ roster and representing the team throughout the year are Charlotte Jacobs (USA) and Darragh Kenny (IRL).
With the 2024 season now in the books, MLSJ co-founder Keean White is already looking toward next year.
“Season four was great; we had the most competitive field, the most competitive teams, the best group of team owners, which goes a long way,” said White. “Are we at our end goal yet? For sure not. Are we on the right track and do we have an incredible group of people paddling in the same direction, working together to make the sport in North America the best? I think we do.”
White continued, “When the riders and the team owners and the sponsors and the organizers all work in the same direction, I think it’s incredible what we can do. Hats off to the Desert [International Horse Park] group. They do an incredible job. I’m happy to say that we’ll be back here for two events next year again. It’ll be the only venue that we have two events, and I think it’s well-earned. We have some incredible tour stops that we’re adding to the tour next year. We jump for $12 million next year, which is a big step up, and we want to keep creating opportunities for the sport to grow, and I’m super pumped.”
To learn more about Major League Show Jumping, visit majorleagueshowjumping.com.