Helios Clinches the Win in $571,000CAD Major League Show Jumping Team Competition
Last season, Team Helios stood atop the podium as the winners of the 2022 Major League Show Jumping (MLSJ) season. Though their odds of winning a second season title in a row weren’t high, they still made sure they had the last word, winning the final leg of the tour in the $571,000CAD MLSJ Team Competition, presented by Visit Greater Palm Springs.
The team was the only one to come home on a completely clear sheet, with all three riders, Karl Cook (USA), Ashlee Bond (ISR), and Erynn Ballard (CAN) jumping clear efforts in round one. That set them up supremely to shine in round two, where Cook and Ballard jumped two fast clears, putting them in the jump-off for gold.
All the pressure came down on Bond, who brought forth her trusty partner Donatello 141. With a footspeed not yet seen in the evening’s class, Bond set the fastest time of any rider, and only McLain Ward (USA) of the Roadrunners had the chance to challenge it. With a rail down by Ward and First Lady, the win went to Helios in the final leg of the MLSJ tour.
“Donnie was perfect,” Bond reflected on her winning jump-off. “It was just forward from start to finish. Everything showed up right on that forward gallop and the turns were great and he was right there with me. I don’t think I left much room, so I was very proud.”
Team Helios felt like the comeback kids under the lights Saturday night. They had slipped in the rankings, but they knew they could come out and win. “I’m hugely proud,” Bond said of her team’s performance. “We all came out with our best horses and we’re all really fast riders. We wanted to win tonight and that’s exactly what we did. We came back and finished third overall so I was really proud of us.”
With Helios in the gold medal position, the DIHP Roadrunners took the silver medal, and the Trelawny Trailblazers took bronze. With the bronze medal finish, it was plenty to secure the Trailblazers the overall season title, never placing below fourth in any team competition throughout the year.
“I’m excited we came home with the championship,” remarked Trailblazer Lillie Keenan (USA). “It was a lot of fun to ride as a Trailblazer this year and I’m really proud to ride with these teammates. We finished strong.”
Darragh Kenny (IRL) put in strong performances every time he stepped out for the Trailblazers. “It was amazing,” he said of the season overall. “We did an incredible job, everybody on the team. It was really fun. We were very consistent and that led to the overall win. I think we have a very serious shot next year. We have a sturdy team and Cara [Raether] is doing an incredible job. She manages it great and she did a super job with all of us. We’re very thankful for her.”
Nayel Nassar (EGY) was fresh off a win in Friday night’s CSI5* Grand Prix and third place in the CSI2* Grand Prix just earlier Saturday, so his confidence carried him to a double-clear performance for the Trailblazers.
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