August 19, 2022 
“I started doing FEI here in 2020, with this horse as an eight-year-old,” said Sebastien Devrainne (FRA) of the now 10-year-old Selle Français gelding, Carre D’as Lili’s.
Thunderbird Show Park (tbird) in Langley, Canada is where Devrainne and Carre D’as Lili first stepped into the FEI ring together. It’s befitting that on Thursday it also became site of their first FEI win, both as individuals and as a partnership.
“It’s really fantastic,” emphasized Devrainne.
The pair was one of just three combinations to go double clear in the CSI3* tbird Challenge 1.40m. Devrainne secured first with a time 45.62 seconds, over a second faster than runner up Katie Kruger (CAN) and Goodwill VB’s time of 47.22. Kennedy Ellingson (CAN) and Coeur de Riccerole VG Z rounded out the podium, crossing the timers in 48.23.
“I think I lucked out a little bit myself. In the first round, jumps one, two and three in the course was a little strong. So I had to reset a little bit before the first combination,” said Devrainne.
By the jump-off, Devrainne and Carre D’as Lili’s had worked out any ride-ability challenges and found the state of synchronicity that enabled them to best the five other competitors.
“Everything kind of pretty much came up in stride in the jump-off. I ended up just going along with the flow, going along with the stride and then just honestly by luck, it kind of paid off for me,” he continued.
tbird is often referred to as a home-away-from home for riders. This sentiment is especially true for Devrainne, who operates his growing business out of Kelowna, BC.
“We didn’t show as much this year, just in regards to me starting a business. But he came back in really good form after the last show [we did] here, which was the national show in June. So far he isn’t touching wood. He hasn’t had one rail down since last week, so I’m really happy,” said Devrainne.
And apart from Carre D’as Lili’s athletic talents?
“On the ground he’s a puppy dog. He’ll stand here for hours and put his head on you, like tilting his head and stretching his neck to ask for scratches. He’s really a sweet guy all around.”
