CO Offaly show jumper Darragh Kenny claimed victory in the three-star Grand Prix at Opglabbeek in Belgium last Sunday, riding the new mount, Carlson 93. Tipperary’s Denis Lynch rounded off a good evening for the Irish when he rode to the runner-up spot.

A total of 10 combinations made it through to the jump-off in the competitive 1.55m class. Kenny then produced the fastest of five second round clears in a time of 36.84 seconds to claim €7,500 with the 10-year-old Contendro I-sired gelding, who is the usual mount of Canadian Brian Walker.

Lynch was also riding a horse who is new to his string, the eight-year-old Dito (Diarado x Canturo), who is owned by Australian show jumper Chriss Chugg. Lynch was just over a second slower than Kenny in 37.91 seconds to earn €6,000.

Kilkenny-based Ger O’Neill finished third in Thursday’s three-star 1.40m two-phase aboard his home-bred gelding Castlefield Cass (Cassidee x Puissance) with a clear round in 28.16 seconds. Kenny and his eventual Grand Prix winner were one place behind in fourth (0/0 28.66).

RUNNER-UP

Billy Twomey was the runner-up in Thursday’s other 1.40m class when he guided Joe Flynn’s traditional Irish Sport Horse stallion Ardcolum Duke to a double clear round in 27.60 seconds. Victory went to America’s Michael Hughes (0/0 26.57).

Northern show jumper Sophie Dalm was also in action at the Belgian venue and, among other results, she placed fifth in Thursday’s 1.35m aboard Fastday VDL.