Keean White, owner and founder of the seven year-run Angelstone Tournaments has returned home bearing gifts. But if you thought he would be feeling gracious enough to give his fellow home-turf competitors a break after his multiple earnings, you don’t know a winner when you meet one. Managing to pull off three top-place finishes at Spruce Meadows this past week, even whilst the kick-off week of his highly coveted Angelstone Tournaments was taking place in his home of Rockwood, Ontario, Keean White was showing no signs of stopping come to the return of his glory this Sunday, June the 11th. After flying home on the red-eye Saturday night from Vancouver, White was entered on two Angelstone horses that following Sunday, Cassandra and Corette, whom he was looking would be crowned the Erin Welcome Modified Grand Prix Champion…and of course be properly recognized for his wins just recently captured in western Canada.
His pride may have outshone his ability, after his first horse, Casandra captured an early rail in the first round of the Modified Grand Prix that Sunday morning. Though jumping well, her unfortunate rail cost her a spot in the jump-off along with his fellow home-competitors Yannick Patron, Kim Farlinger, and young Quebec native Sabrina Lefebvre who had been showing top results at the Erin Welcome last week. It wasn’t until Keean was upon one of his favourite mounts, the stylish Corrette, who seamlessly earned a clear first round to secure his spot in that jump-off. Patron and Levebvre’s swift timing in the second round came at an unfortunate price, as both sadly left the ring with an unfortunate rail under their belt in their second effort, despite their tidy finishes. Loping into the ring last, White knew that if he rode intelligently – without having to run his mare, of course – that he would capture the day’s win. And that he certainly did. Finishing at over twelve seconds behind Yannick Patron and his efficient mount New Wave 3E, Keean White and Corette left the Main Stadium jump-off barely breaking a sweat, at a leisurely time of 49.90. Having just needed to complete a clear effort in the second round, Keean knew his exact plan of attack going into the jump-off. And a seamless (even uneventful go) was exactly what he needed to show his fellow competitors and exhibitors just how a true winner gets the job done.
On behalf of Angelstone Tournaments, we’d like to congratulate the man (and brains) behind the horse show on an unimaginable finish to Spruce Meadows. Not only did you represent our country, but you have successfully represented a business we have worked many years together to perfect. We look forward to a great week ahead at the Headwater’s Cup CSI2* and hope your success continues into the weekend’s competition where more of the country’s riders and mounts will be showcased. Amazing job Keean! Here’s to the tireless work and effort you have put forth to not only make this horse show amazing, but as well for the effort you’ve put in the saddle. Everything is really starting to pay off…