Three survivors, not one more<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At Spruce Meadows, even the midweek classes can sometimes feel like entrance exams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Thursday, in the International Ring, Leopoldo Palacios had prepared a 1.55m course serious enough to sort through the 54 combinations at the start. The rain that had fallen earlier in the day had given way to slightly kinder weather, but out on the track, nobody was exactly planning to hand out gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The time allowed was tight. Very tight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Result: only three combinations managed to complete the first round clear and earn their place in the jump-off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hinners applies the pressure, Maher secures it<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then there was still the small matter of going after the win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the first real benchmark in the jump-off, Sophie Hinners<\/strong> did not exactly leave the door wide open. With Iron Dames My Prins<\/strong>, l\u2019Allemande signe un deuxi\u00e8me sans-faute et arr\u00eate le chrono \u00e0 43\u2019\u201978. Propre, rapide, s\u00e9rieux : le genre de tour qui oblige le dernier partant \u00e0 sortir de sa zone de confort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ben Maher<\/strong>, for his part, chose a more measured score with Catelly<\/strong>. Le Britannique boucle lui aussi un double sans-faute, en 47\u2019\u201911, et s\u2019assure la troisi\u00e8me marche du podium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That left Keenan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The small advantage of entering the ring last in a jump-off is that you know exactly what has to be done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Le petit inconv\u00e9nient, c\u2019est qu\u2019on sait exactement ce qu\u2019il faut faire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With victory and qualification for the CPKC \u2018International\u2019, presented by Rolex, at the end of the reins, Keenan could not exactly afford to improvise a sightseeing tour of the International Ring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The American chose precision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kick On answered the call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Clear, 41.03 seconds: case closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The CANA Cup went into the American combination\u2019s pocket, along with something that mattered almost as much as the victory itself: a place in Spruce Meadows\u2019 big Sunday appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n This success did not come out of nowhere either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keenan and Kick On have already spent plenty of time around major fixtures. The pair notably finished tenth in the 2026 World Cup Final in Fort Worth, after placing eleventh at the previous edition in Basel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Calgary is not unfamiliar ground for them either. In July, during Spruce Meadows\u2019 \u2018North American\u2019, they had already won the Jayman BUILT Cup, also contested over 1.55m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In other words, Kick On seems to rather enjoy the great Canadian grass arenas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n After her victory, Keenan summed up rather well what had just happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLast to go, first at the finish<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Lillie](\"https:\/\/www.sohorse.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/32296f96-84f9-7481-0423-29a7f042d494.jpg\")
Kick On knows the tune<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur sport is also an art\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n