The nine-year-old gelding, bought by Eva Castegren at the VDL Auction in West Palm Beach last March, had only been lightly competed up to this week. However the grey’s relative inexperience was no deterrent to his Florida-based rider.

The track, designed by German Martin Otto, proved to be challenging, with a particularly tricky triple combination at fence 10 taking its toll on competitors. While the time allowed was initially set at 71 seconds, this was later raised to 73.

Kenny and Aplha VDL were just one of five combinations to make it through to the jump-off from a starting field of 51 horses.

Fernando Cardenas of New Hill, North Carolina set a speedy time of 43.75 seconds while remaining clear on his 10-year-old Oldenburg stallion Quincy Car.

However Kenny and Alpha VDL managed to shave a further 1.5 off this to finish clear on a time of 42.24 on their first attempt at tackling a Grand Prix course.

“He’s a big, easy-going horse. I’ve shown him a few times now and nothing fazes him,” Kenny said afterwards. “He has a big stride and for a big horse he is amazingly light on his feet.”

American Scott Keach also recorded his second double clear of the day aboard the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare Viriato, which put them into third place.

Jordan Coyne of America, riding the 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood Lazaro, clocked up four faults in 37.70, which put them in fourth place. Quality Girl, a 12-year-old Warmblood mare ridden by fellow Florida rider Todd Minikus also dropped a rail and finished in 38.28 for fifth place.

There will be more Grand Prix action tomorrow as HITS VI – the Ocala Masters show kicks off with the Zoetis-sponsored $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix and $50,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix.