Kenny celebrates a one-two for Ireland
The Irish rider fends off the competition in the 1.45m classic to take first and second
CSI3* Winter Equestrian Festival week 10, Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, Florida, USA
IRELAND’S Darragh Kenny took the top two placings in Wednesday’s 1.45m classic, worth $11,550 (£8,243) to the winner, with the 12-year-old Chakito and the 11-year-old Horst Van De Mispeleare respectively.
“These 1.45m speed classes and two-phase classes are so fast nowadays,” said Darragh. “Every time you go in, you have to go absolutely 100% to win or you might as well just school around, because you’re not going to get a ribbon any other way.
“The course suited me with both horses. I didn’t have to go too crazy at the start. It was a nice two-phase, so it was good to go around the first phase and get them both going around well.”
Chakito is usually ridden by his owner Teddy Vlock, who trains with Darragh.
“Teddy will take him over again at the end of the circuit. He’s a really good horse. I think a lot of him,” said Darragh, while his runner-up mount came from his girlfriend, British showjumper Jessica Mendoza, a month ago.
“Jess and I are very good between the two of us — whatever doesn’t work for one can work for the other,” he explained. “We swap and change a little bit and see what works, and the horse seems to work for me. I think he’s a really cool horse.”
The feature class this week was the CSI3* Horseware Ireland grand prix and in a bizarre outcome, only one rider jumped clear to take the honours —
USA rider Spencer Smith (Theoddore Manciais).
Not only was this the young rider’s first win in an international grand prix, but he’d never previously won a rankings class. Canada’s Ian Miller (Dixson) took second as the fastest of 14 four-faulters from 40 starters.
“The course was difficult,” said Spencer, who trains with
Eric Lamaze. “I think I had an advantage going early and not knowing how the course was unfolding. I just went in and did the plan Eric and Yann [Candele] told me exactly and it worked out.
“It is amazing and unreal to be here.”