THE final day of the Kentucky Spring Classic saw a win for Tipperary’s Kevin Babington in the $35,000 Bluegrass Grand Prix at the Spring Horse Show series. Babington delivered the only double clear aboard Mark Q (ISH) to claim his second consecutive National Grand Prix victory of the series.

The technical track only saw four combinations deliver clear rounds. Double-handed in the jump-off, Babington first entered the second round aboard his own Double O Seven 7, but four faults in a time of 43.260 seconds meant that he had to be content with fourth.

The last to enter the jump-off round, Babington knew a safe clear was required with Mark Q and the duo duly delivered in a time of 47.272secs. He and the 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding claimed the win to repeat Babington’s victory in last week’s $35,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix with Super Chilled (ISH). Todd Minikus proved that the time could be beaten with Amex Z, when he clocked 39.16, but four faults meant a runner-up placing. Alex Granato and Beorn also crossed the line carrying four faults in 41.22, for third.

VICTORY FOR KENNY

The day before, Offaly’s Darragh Kenny added to his growing list of victories at Kentucky Spring Horse Show when taking victory in the $131,000 Mary Rena Murphy three-star Grand Prix. Riding Balou du Reventon, he crossed the line clear in 41.54 seconds, ahead of America’s Margie Engle who took the runner-up spot with Royce (42.08). Four Irish riders made it into the second round with Kilkenny’s Richie Moloney and Carrabis Z finishing fifth, Lorcan Gallagher and Hunters Conlypso in sixth with Galway’s Andrew Bours 11th with Diego.

Earlier in the week, Kenny finished second in the Hagyard Classic with Balou Du Revention, while Bourns and Diego finished fifth.

It was a good show for the Irish as they featured in the majority of line-ups. In the 1.40m CSI3*, Lorcan Gallagher and Emelion took fourth place, while further down the line, Conor O’Regan (Barlando), finished in eighth ahead of Kenny (Charly Chaplin S).

Kenny and Important De Muze emerged victorious in the Open Jumper 1.35m while Gallagher and Hunters Conlypso 11 finished sixth. He also accounted for two placings in the Welcome Speed, finishing seventh with Silteplait De Circee and ninth with Balou Du Reventon.

Later in the week, Gallagher and Emelion took the win in the 1.45m Table 11.