DARRAGH Kenny won the final WEF Challenge Cup of the Winter Equestrian Festival last Thursday aboard his new mount Billy Onslow.

In a huge 19-horse jump-off, Kenny was second to go with the 11-year-old gelding (Billy Congo x Iroko), and went full speed to post a time of 33.33 seconds, which was eventually good enough for the win.

“He is such a cool horse,” Kenny said of the Anglo European gelding that he purchased from Great Britain’s William Funnell. “I just got him three weeks ago when I was in Europe. He did a 1.40m class yesterday, and then this today. Obviously, I do not really know him so well, but he tries so hard and he is super easy to ride.”

USA’s Margie Engle and Gladewinds Farm’s Royce finished second in 34.22 seconds, ahead of Canada’s Nicole Walker and Falco van Spieveld placed third in 36.23 seconds. Falco van Spieveld was produced in Ireland by Deane Rogan, before being campaigned by Ireland’s Cameron Hanley.

It was another good week for Irish riders at the five-star Winter Equestrian Festival when Kenny and Chanel took the runner-up spot in the 1.45m $35,000 Illustrated Properties when clear in 62.24 seconds. Winner of the class was Samuel Parot and Couscous Van Orti, clear in 60.48. In fourth place was Kilkenny’s Richie Moloney and Slieveanorra, clear in 64.19, while in seventh place was Cork’s Shane Sweetnam and Indra Van De Oude Heihoef in 67.63.

Earlier in the week, Moloney finished fifth in the $35,000 Douglas Elliman 1.45m. Riding Slieveanorra, he posted a double clear in 26.93. Winner of the class was Jessica Springsteen and Davendy, clear in 24.60. In the $130,000 Suncast 1.50m Classic Final, Derry’s Daniel Coyle was best of the Irish when he partnered Dillinger into fifth place when he incurred a single time in 54.21. The class was won by America’s Kent Farrington riding Dublin, clear in 41.90.

In the $50,000 Engel and Völkers Grand Prix CSI**, the Irish sport horse HHS Figero (Guidam x Cavalier Royale), under the command of Alexandra Thornton, took fifth place when clear in 45.69 seconds. The 11-year-old gelding was bred by Marion Hughes and was previously campaign by Emma O’Dwyer.