Tag Archives: Darragh Kenny

Kenny Dominates aboard Vertige De Galarzacs in $37k CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Classic CSI3*

Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Vertige De Galarzacs © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – March 20, 2021 – Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Vertige De Galarzacs, owned by Morning Star Sporthorses, LLC, dashed to the top of podium in the $37,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Classic CSI3* on Saturday, March 20, in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in the tenth week of the 2021 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).

A total of 79 entries contested the first round of competition with just nine qualifying for the second round. First to return in the jump-off, Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Ideal, owned by Sweet Oak Farm and Seabrook, LLC, set the tone for the rest of the contenders, executing the 1.50m shortened course set by Michel Vaillancourt (CAN) with ease. Sweetnam and the nine-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding by Cardento 933 x Paskitt posted the time to catch of 36.67 seconds.

Both Kenny and Martin Fuchs (SUI) qualified two horses to return for the jump-off, and it was Fuchs who posted the second double clear round of the day with Conner 70, owned by Thomas Fuchs. The second-ranked rider in the world guided the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Connor 48 x Cosimo around the course, crossing the timers in 37.10 seconds.

Libbie Gordon and Montauk Earn the Tricolor Ribbon in the Large Junior Hunter 3’6” 16-17 Division

Libbie Gordon, of Statesville, NC, rode her own Montauk to the championship title in the Large Junior Hunter 3’6” 16-17 Division on Saturday in the Rost Arena. The pair received 23.5 points in the division with two firsts, a fourth, a fifth, and a sixth place finish.

Gordon and Montauk, trained by Ashland Farms, secured another tricolor ribbon after also receiving the championship honors during week five of WEF. Although the 12-year-old Warmblood gelding is still fairly new to the hunter discipline, he and Gordon are always a pair to watch when they enter the show ring.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Kenny and GK Casper Ghost the Turf Tour Competition

Darragh Kenny and GK Casper.

Wellington, FL (March 16, 2021) – Ireland’s Darragh Kenny and GK Casper “ghosted” the competition during Turf Tour 9 at Polo West, adding to his already impressive tally of 2021 wins on the circuit. Once again topping the weekly $15,000 1.40m Turf Tour Grand Prix, Kenny and Casper topped a field of thirty over a course designed by Leopoldo Palacios.

Kenny and GK Casper once again closed out the class with an exceptionally quick double clear effort, opting to take a tight turn after the one stride instead of going around the triple combination. A master of the seemingly effortless yet ambitiously navigated jump-off, Kenny’s latest victorious ride logged a time of 35.943 seconds.

GK Casper’s stablemate, Billy Manjaro, galloped to second on 37.190 with Kevin Mealiff in the irons. With only a few tenths of second separation, third place went to Kent Farrington and Caprice with 37.363.

For full results, visit www.HorseShowing.com.

For more info, visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com.

Darragh Kenny Knocks Off Competition in $73k Adequan WEF Challenge Cup Round 9 CSI5*

Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Sligo Balou Boy © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – March 11, 2021 – As week nine of the 2021 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) rolls on, Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Sligo Balou Boy, owned by Michael Kearins, jumped into the winner’s circle in the $73,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round 9 CSI5* on Thursday, March 11, in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC).

Acting as a qualifier for the $401,000 Fidelity Investments® Grand Prix CSI5* on Saturday night, 53 entries were challenged over a course designed by Alan Wade (IRL). Kenny, ranked ninth in the world, was 47th to go in the starting order, piloting the 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding by Balou Du Rouet x Catiana to a clear effort in the opening round.

A total of 14 entries cleared the course with 10 electing to return for the second round. Kenny was last to return and put forth the fastest jump-off time, with a double-clear effort in 33.75 seconds.

Mendoza Makes Her Mark on $37,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty 1.45m CSI2*

Jessica Mendoza (GBR) topped the day’s $37,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty 1.45m CSI2* with Dublin, a 2007 German Sport Horse gelding (Cobra x Calido) owned by Windsor Farms. The pair rode to victory in the class of 73 entries, after 20 horse-and-rider combinations returned to contest the Michel Vaillancourt (CAN)-designed fast track.

Mendoza and Dublin cleared the second course in a quick 31.07 seconds. “I knew that there were a lot of horses coming back for the jump-off,” began Mendoza, “so I knew that it was going to be a quick one. I had to get going from the beginning and try to leave little to no room for anyone else to sneak in there.”

She continued, “Dublin was very good. At fence number two I turned a little tight and then went a little deep, and he was a good boy with that so I’m very happy with him. He’s probably the most careful horse I’ve ever sat on; he just doesn’t want to touch a fence. You’re either clear or you’ll do something scary when it comes to him. He’s amazing; he’s very intelligent and knows where his legs are.”

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Kenny Rallies Back, Secures 2nd Consecutive $5,000 1.30m Rising Star Win

Darragh Kenny and GK Casper.

Wellington, FL (February 25, 2021) – Ireland’s Darragh Kenny once again delivered a winning performance during Wednesday’s The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour. Set this week on the expansive fields of Polo West, the Turf Tour has been a favorite of Kenny’s, where until last week he had a 3-for-3 winning streak in the Grand Prix. However, California’s Ashlee Bond snapped a 4th Grand Prix win from him last week at Black Watch Farm, but wasn’t fast enough on Wednesday to keep him from a 2nd $5,000 1.30m Rising Star victory. A new challenger and first time Turf Tour competitor, Dutch Olympian Harrie Smolders, also jumped to a decisive finish that foreshadows his ability to steal victory from Kenny and Bond.

A first double clear effort in the $5,000 1.30m Rising Star by Hartog-Jan and rider Vincent A. Bailleul set the time to beat at 45.679 seconds. That was eventually eclipsed by Jaqueline Colborne, who jumped Lotus Sobral da Costa to the lead in 40.890 seconds. Olympian Harrie Smolders and Calina then threw down the gauntlet, blazing around the 1.30m course in 39.363 seconds. Darragh and GK Casper followed, once again proving how quick and accurate they can be, jumping off in an impressive 38.026 seconds. Last week’s Grand Prix champion, Ashlee Bond, was intent on taking the title from Kenny once again. She had the time, 36.669, but a fateful rail at the final jump, a liverpool oxer, cost her and Contefina LVF the class. Kim Farlinger and Ibalius SMH breezed around the course in 40.555 seconds.

“It is really exciting to have some of the top riders in the sport vying for victory over our jumps at our show,” said Olympian Nona Garson, who co-founded The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour with George D’Ambrosio. “And what is really cool is while this battle of the titans plays out in ring one, we have amateurs, green horses, and juniors warming up over the same jumps and competing adjacent to them in Ring 2. This was our dream with the Turf Tour, to create a show for everyone that offers everything from FEI level Grand Prix action to a training ground for green horses and riders.”

For full results, visit www.HorseShowing.com.

For more info, visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com.

Kenny Kills It with Another Rising Star Win, Set to Go 4-for-4 in Turf Tour Grand Prix

Darragh Kenny and Cicomein VDL.

Wellington, FL (February 18, 2021) – With Black Watch Farm’s brilliant bougainvilleas in full bloom, Ireland’s Darragh Kenny once again proved himself a master in the $5,000 1.30m Rising Star Classic. Over a course designed by FEI and Olympic designer Leopoldo Palacios, Kenny’s effortless riding ascended him to the top of the class, beating out 67 horse and rider combinations. Usually scheduled for Wednesdays during Wellington’s winter equestrian season, February 17’s Rising Star was pushed to Thursday due to inclement weather, and the final day of Turf Tour 7 at Black Watch Farm will commence at 8am on Friday with classes from the .80-meters to a $3,000 1.30m Speed Stake to the highlight $15,000 1.40m Turf Tour Grand Prix.

An early and fast double clear set by Lucy Matz and Bailey would lead the class most of the day, as the nearly 70 challengers raced through a number of tight rollbacks in the jump off in an attempt to beat their time of 38.468 seconds. The only rider to best them was Darragh Kenny aboard Cicomein VDL, gliding around both the first and second rounds to finish on 37.351 seconds in the jump-off. Olympian Peter Wylde and Royal Flush rounded out the top 3, jumping off in 38.352 seconds. Darragh remains poised to continue his domination of the Turf Tour 2021 circuit, having now put in back-to-back wins in the Rising Star Classic and with three consecutive wins in the Turf Tour Grand Prix going into Friday.

“The Turf Tour is a great place to bring the horses,” said Kenny. “Whether the horses are up and coming or one of my experienced older horses, it’s great for them to get out and see different rings. I think it’s a tremendous asset to have shows on the grass as the horses really like it and it freshens them up a bit seeing a different ring and the different weekly venues.”

For full results, visit www.HorseShowing.com.

For more info, visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com.

Darragh Delivers Turf Tour Grand Prix Hat Trick

Darragh Kenny and Quatinka.

Wellington, FL (February 15, 2021) – Three weeks, three Grand Prix classes, three victories: Ireland’s Darragh Kenny delivered a 1.40m hat trick on Friday, February 12, by winning his 3rd consecutive $15,000 1.40m Turf Tour Grand Prix during Turf Tour 6, held at To-Kalon Farm. The weekly show and Grand Prix series regularly attracts some of the world’s top riders as well as driven amateurs, but for the past 3 weeks Kenny has trounced every combination pitted against him. Headed into Turf Tour 6, to be held February 17-19 at the gorgeous Black Watch Farm, Kenny will defend his triple consecutive Grand Prix title as well as that of winner of the $5,000 1.30m Rising Star Classic, which he won on Wednesday.

Consistently fast and flawless, Kenny’s ride with SHL Farm’s Quatinka was fiercely contested by a number of top riders including Eve Jobs, Ryan Genn, and Heather Caristo-Williams, but to no avail. Kenny’s third to last effort aboard Quatinka answered Ryan Genn’s leading jump-off time of 35.515 with a time of 33.555, nearly a full 2 seconds quicker. Genn, aboard Shannon Reid’s Dieta, was bumped into second with former class leader Heather Caristo-Williams and Marie VD Vespel Z with a jump-off time of 36.286.

“This was my first time jumping here. I’ve brought clients in the past, and we achieved all of our training goals,” said Caristo-Williams of her performance with Marie, a mare owned by Holly Caristo. “She put in a really fast double clear effort, which was my ideal result. It’s really unique to be able to show when you want and to jump on the grass.” The gray mare, who was whinnying her excitement between her first round clear and the jump-off, also sported flashy bling in her braids.

For full results, visit www.HorseShowing.com.

For more info, visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com.

Kenny Knocks Out Another Turf Tour Victory

Darragh Kenny and Casper.

Wellington, FL (February 11, 2021) – Napa Valley-inspired To-Kalon Farm’s verdant polo field hosted two arenas of show jumping on the grass for Turf Tour 6, whose Wednesday competition saw Ireland’s Darragh Kenny put another win in his 2021 resume. His two late in the day rides topped the bested a 25 horse field in the $3,000 1.30m Rising Star Classic while .80m-1.20m classes ran adjacent. Kenny is poised to claim his 3rd $15,000 Turf Tour Grand Prix victory of the season on Friday at To-Kalon to wrap up week 6, unless another horse & rider team can match his accuracy and speed.

Kenny and Casper put in an effortless double clear round as one of the last rides in the Rising Star, breezing to a jump-off time of 33.102 seconds. His new time knocked Alex Matz & Jillz (34.118), who had been holding the lead since his first to go ride, into second place. Kenny was quick to assert his dominance with a second double clear effort, this time with Belo Horizonte, in 33.150 seconds, knocking Quentin Judge & HH Zorro Z (37.590) out of the top 3.

For full results, visit www.HorseShowing.com.

For more info, visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com.

Darragh Kenny and Cazador Ls Top Turf Tour Grand Prix at Polo West

Darragh Kenny and Cazador Ls.

Wellington, FL (February 2, 2021) – The fourth week of Turf Tour competition crowned Ireland’s Darragh Kenny and Cazador Ls as the winners of Friday’s $15,000 Turf Tour Grand Prix at Polo West, while riders of all levels enjoyed a weekend of Hunter Derbies held at The Ridge’s home farm.

Darragh Kenny, who is a decorated Turf Tour and international competitor, rode Cazador Ls, a stallion owned by Shl Farms, to the win in Friday’s $15,000 Turf Tour Grand Prix over a course designed by Oscar Soberon and set on the beautiful grass fields of Polo West. Kenny and Cazador Ls successfully navigated a number of challenges, including a triple bar to a skinny, roll backs, long gallops, a closed-faced liverpool, and tight turn options to dominate the class, which had a total of seven first round clears. The pair finished their jump-off in 36.323, beating out the second place ride by Hyde Moffitt and Grafton by less than one second (37.084). The third place finisher, Kevin Mealiff and Tupac Van De Vrombautshoeve Z, flew through the timers just tenths of second after Moffitt, in 37.775 seconds.

Hunter Derby Days have long been an exciting addition to the Turf Tour circuit, and in 2021 The Ridge expanded their Derby offerings to include a 2′ Mini Derby with options to 2’3″, a $2,500 Low Hunter Derby with options to 2’9″, a $5000 3′ Hunter Derby with options to 3’5″, and a $5,000 3’6″ Open Hunter Derby. Sunday’s competition, and the two higher Derbies, were held on The Ridge’s gorgeous grass Grand Prix field, making for a gorgeous and unique show experience for hunter riders. The 2021 Hunter Derby Days are sponsored by Jeremy Greene of the Corcoran Group, HorseFlight, and Tribute Equine Nutrition.

The Mini Derby was won by The Ridge’s own Landego 35 and Courtney Tom, and the $2,500 Low Hunter Derby was won by Candy Crush and Dyanne Rucco. Jennifer Bliss won both the 3′ Hunter Derby and the Open Derby aboard Sugar Man and Poker Face. Many of the riders used the Hunter Derby Days classes to prepare for bigger classes this season, including MDM Equestrian Group’s Kilkenny, who placed 3rd in the Open Hunter Derby with Keri Kampsen in the irons. Hunter Derby Days marked Kilkenny’s first Hunter Derby and his first class in the US, as he perfects his technique for future International Hunter Derby competition.

“Nona Garson and I and all of our staff at The Ridge at Wellington would like to thank all of the exhibitors that found time in their day to come and enjoy our Hunter Derbies hosted on our grass field this past weekend,” said George D’Ambrosio, co-founder of the Turf Tour and The Ridge at Wellington. “We hope you enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed hosting it for you. Looking forward to the rest of the Turf Tour season and March’s Hunter Derby Days!”

For full results, visit www.HorseShowing.com.

For more info, visit www.RidgeShowJumping.com.

Kenny Has Consecutive Win at WEF in $6,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1.45m Jumpers

Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Sweet Tricia. © Sportfot.

January 28, 2021 – Wellington, FL – Coming off a win in the 1.40m jumpers on Wednesday at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), Darragh Kenny (IRL) was back to his winning ways once again, this time aboard Sweet Tricia, owned by the SHL Farm, in the $6,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1.45m Jumpers on Thursday, January 28, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC).

With a starting field of 41 entries, Kenny and Sweet Tricia, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare by Berlin x Aetrichta, put forward the fastest effort of the day over the two-phase track designed by Peter Grant (CAN) and Joey Rycroft (CAN), keeping all the jumps up for the victory in 31.95 seconds. As Kenny alluded to after recording the win, sometimes the best way to handle the course is to go with the flow.

Evan Coluccio Rides Philadelphia Story to Top Honors in the High Performance Hunters

After two days of competition, the Antarès Sellier France High Performance Hunters came to an end on Thursday. Evan Coluccio piloted The Lignelli Family’s Philadelphia Story to the championship with three firsts, a fifth, and a third place ribbon.

Coluccio, of Marshall, VA, has had the ride on the nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Periguex since October. Philadelphia Story was originally from Balmoral Farm, along with another one of Coluccio’s mounts, Pritchard Hill, who was champion in the High Performance Conformation Hunters this week.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Kenny and Maher Take Top Titles in the $6,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.40m Jumpers

Darragh Kenny and Cicomein VDL. © Sportfot.

January 27, 2021 – Wellington, FL – In a California split, Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Ben Maher (GBR) took home blue ribbons after topping a field of 121 entries in the $6,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.40m Jumpers as week three of competition got underway at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on Wednesday, January 27.

Just seventh to go in the starting order, Kenny and Cicomein VDL, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare owned by HCK Collection, LLC, navigated all eight obstacles in the jump-off without fault for a double clear effort in a time of 36.036 seconds, quick enough to hold the lead right through to the finish.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.