Sport

Darragh Kenny with two top-six placings at Winter Equestrian Festival

The 11-year-old stallion set good time of 38.26 which saw him briefly hold pole position

Ireland’s Darragh Kenny (in action above) ended week four of the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida by taking two top six placings. Photograph: Cathal Noonan/Inpho
Ireland’s Darragh Kenny (in action above) ended week four of the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida by taking two top six placings. Photograph: Cathal Noonan/Inpho
Margie McLoone
Mon Feb 02 2015 - 09:45

Ireland's Darragh Kenny ended week four of the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida by taking two top six placings in Sunday's 1.50m jump-off class.

Twenty combinations went through to the second round from a starting line-up of 62 and Kenny was seventh to go with Toffolon Partners’ Irish Sport Horse Gatsby. The 11-year-old Simba stallion set a good time of 38.26 which saw the Irish combination briefly hold pole position.

However, Kenny had to settle for third place behind the USA's Mclain Ward riding HH Carlos Z (37.26) and his fellow American Todd Minikus with Quality Girl (37.26). The county Offaly-born rider stopped the clock on 38.47 with his Friday winner Picolo to share fourth place with Ireland's Conor Swail on board Martha Louise.

The ISH gelding Trading Aces, partnered by the USA’s Boyd Martin, completed on his dressage score of 24.80 penalties to win the Festival’s inaugural eventing showcase. The 11-year-old Coevers Diamond Boy gelding was bred in county Clare by Patrick Minogue out of his Leabeg mare Ballyvannon Beauty.