OFFALY's Darragh Kenny and Amsterdam 27 were a close third overnight in the 1.60m $226,000 Horseware Ireland CSI4* Grand Prix in Wellington, Florida, USA.

Kenny has been in fantastic form during the winter festival at the Florida venue and he took the podium finish in a competitive contest, just falling short after jumping clear in the jump-off.

Kenny and Amsterdam 27, owned by Teddy Vlock and Vlock Show Stables LLC, were one of nine combinations who had jumped around the tough track faultless but it was America’s Kent Farrington who ultimately landed the top spot.

Farrington and Toulayna finished round two in an ultra-fast time of 37.38 seconds, clear of compatriot Nicole Shaninian-Simpson in 37.94 seconds.

Kenny was third, less than six tenths of a second behind, having finished in a time of 38.53 seconds on his 13-year-old.

Kenny said: “It’s a great feeling to finish third in the $226,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix here under the lights with Amsterdam - big thanks to the whole Vlock team for this one.”

Global wins for Irish riders

The podium effort rounded off a successful Saturday for Irish riders around the world, with Billy Twomey and Down's Conor Swail landing wins on different continents.

Corkman Twomey won earlier in the day at Spanish venue Vejer de la Frontera as he landed the 1.45m four-star Grand Prix on board Lady Lou.

Ireland’s Aga Khan hero Swail was also successful at CSI4* level, this time Stateside, as he and Theo 160 proved too good for the competition in the 1.45m Classic at Desert Horse Park, Florida.

The Irish Show Jumping team is sponsored by The Underwriting Exchange

Charles Ancona – Official athlete clothing supplier to HSI’s Senior Olympic programmes

Source: Horse Sport Ireland press release - image Sportfot/courtesy of Wellington International