OFFALY’S Darragh Kenny got off to a great start at week two of the Old Salem Farm September Horse Shows, winning two classes with Pearl Gem VDM - on their first time competing together!

The pair first won Friday’s two-star $32,000 1.45m Old Salem Farm Welcome Stakes class and then returned to claim the top spot in Sunday’s two-star $40,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix presented by J.P. Morgan Private Bank as well.

Sunday’s class saw 31 combinations from six countries taking on the challenge of Ken Krome’s technical 1.45m track over 16 jumping efforts, with 11 booking a place in the jump-off and six completing double clear rounds. Kenny’s time of 38.94 seconds, proved fastest of the double clears and he took home the top prize of $10,000. “We’ve had this horse in the stable for about two years now, but this is my first week showing him,” Kenny said. “I was just trying to get to know him. Friday of course helped with that; in the jump-off today, I could really test how fast we could go. He felt great. He doesn’t like much pressure at all. He has a lot of blood, and you kind of have to sit there and just hold on.

“Today’s course was a very good course,” Kenny continued. “Obviously, the rain coming in had a bit of an effect, but I knew the footing would hold and the jump-off would be quick enough. He’s a very fast horse and very, very careful. He’s very fun to ride. He’ll probably do Silo Ridge and Tryon for Major League (Show Jumping) and try some of those team classes. He seems like he’ll be a perfect horse for that, so that’s what we’ll aim for next.”

Second place went to Uma O’Neill (NZL) on Miro NS in 40.23 seconds, with Taylor Boddy (USA) in third with Lambiek (40.94).

Friday’s 47 starters produced 13 clear first rounds, with nine jumping clear again second time out. Kenny and this 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding have clearly gelled together well and they clocked the winning jump-off time of 31.99 to take the win. Megan McDermott (USA) on Da Vinci DV Z placed second and Hallie Grimes (USA) on Margriet de Mariposa came third.

Saturday’s two-star $32,000 1.45m Great Oak speed class saw Daniel Kerins finish on the podium in third place with Malou Blue PS from a start list of 28. The class was won by Megan McDermott (USA) on Nintendo.