WORLD number eight Darragh Kenny continued his brilliance at the top of the sport last Sunday when winning the $213,300 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup at Deeridge Farms in Wellington, Florida.

Riding Ann Thompson’s talented 10-year-old gelding Classic Dream, Kenny was one of just three clear rounds from the 40 that started. Despite it being a start-studded field which included the world number one and four former World Cup champions, Alan Wade’s track caused plenty of difficulty throughout the day.

All three in the jump-off produced yet another clear round and Brazil’s Cassio Rivetti led the way in a time of 38.29 seconds as Kenny entered the ring. Although he was mounted on a somewhat inexperienced mount at this level, Kenny is always dangerous against the clock and he proved that when breaking the beam over a second faster in 36.70 seconds to earn the top prize of $70,300.

Rivetti finished second aboard Bacara d’Archonfosse ahead of USA’s Devin Ryan and Eddie Blue (0/0 39.00).

Kenny was over the moon with victory and embraced owner Ann Thompson who was in Wellington to witness her horse’s big victory. “He was fantastic. He jumped unbelievable. He’s such an incredible horse, because he’s so simple to ride. He just wants to jump the jumps clear, and today he was super,” he said.

Highest level

“We always felt he was a top Grand Prix horse and [that] he could go to the highest level,” Kenny explained. “I think he’s only starting to show that now. He was incredible as a seven-year-old [and as] an eight-year-old, [but] he had a bit of a rough last year - a few little mistakes here and there getting used to the height. Now, this year he started out fantastic. I think in the future, he’ll be one of the best horses in the world.”

Kenny is registered with the Western European League, and his 20 points moved him into 10th in those standings with 45 points. The top 18 from the league will qualify for the finals taking place in Las Vegas in April.

Coyle placed

Derry’s Daniel Coyle scored two top placings at the four-star show at the stunning venue, close to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Centre where WEF week four was also running.

Coyle rode Ariel Grange’s 10-year-old gelding Farrel to third place in Thursday’s 1.45m Table A. The combination were one of 15 clear rounds in a time of 61.78 seconds to earn $5,490. Victory went to Britain’s Emily Moffit and Tipsy de Terral (0/ 60.38).

Coyle and Farrel then place fourth in Saturday’s 1.50m jump-off class. Ten of the starting 30 made it through to the timed round where a second clear in 33.94 seconds was good enough for fourth, behind American winner Nicole Shahinian-Simpson (Akuna Mattata). Darragh Kenny finished eighth aboard Billy Dorito when faulting once against the clock, ahead of Billy Twomey in ninth with Kimba Flamenco.

Co Meath’s Cian O’Connor was also among the Irish placed at Deeridge. He guided the 14-year-old mare Baronescha, owned by Reitsportanlage Dagobertshausen GmbH & CO.KG, to fourth place in Friday’s 1.45m Table A.

They produced one of 10 clear rounds in 64.38 seconds, when victory once again went to Moffitt and Tipsy du Terral (0/ 60.18).