January 25, 2026 
When Fasther joined Lillie Keenan’s string in January 2019, the young American had one international Grand Prix win on her record. A CSI2* 1.50m on Fibonacci 17 earned the year prior. In the seven years since, she’s jumped to eight more GP wins—five at the 1.60m+ height.
In other words, she’s learned to go faster. Thanks in large part to Fasther.
“He was the first horse that McLain [Ward] selected for me and represents the important mentorship I have with him,” said Keenan of the 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Vigo d’Arsouilles STX x Farmer). “He’s my heart horse—he has a fire inside of him; loves to jump, but he really loves to run. We struggled a lot at first with rideability, but I have grown up with him; I trust him so much, and he tries so hard for me.
“There are moments where I can go to a fence and think I should have ridden it better, and he turns himself inside out to jump it. He does that for me—I don’t think he would do that just for anyone.”
On Saturday night at Wellington International, they collected their latest GP title with the CSI4* NetJets Grand Prix, besting an 11 horse jump off with one of only two sub-41 second times.
“That final line was a risky moment, but I think it made the biggest difference,” said Keenan.
“He has a huge stride, that’s probably why it didn’t look like I was going so fast. And also I’ve learned that I’m much faster if I’m smooth and if I let Fasther be fast.”
Saturday’s win is Keenan’s her third of the Winter Equestrian Festival to date. The 29-year-old won Week 1’s CSI3* 1.50m aboard Chagrin d’Amour and her grand prix debut last week with new mount Highway TN.
It’s also her third GP podium finish with Fasther since August, with more expected to come.
“He’s 16 but he spent over two years not competing,” continued Keenan. “I think he really is more like a 12 year old, but has the maturity of an older horse, so I have the best of both worlds. He still has the strength and the stamina, but mentally he’s so experienced. He really feels like he’s just hitting his prime.”
