Darragh Kenny wins third WEF challenge cup leg on Gael Force

Darragh Kenny and Gael
Force. By sportfot.com

Irish rider Darragh Kenny and Gael Force, owned by Missy Clark and North Run, took the top honors in round three of the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup.

Eight of the original 42 horse and rider combinations jumped clear over Germany's Olaf Petersen's course to advance to the jump-off round. Four were able to jump double clear, but Darragh and Gael Force's in 43.31-second round proved to be the quickest. The pair left out a stride in the last line which made the difference.

The USA's Brianne Goutal, who is enjoying a very good show, and Onira, owned by Remarkable Farms LP, were second in a time of 44.77 seconds, while third went to McLain Ward, also of the USA, and Louisburg Farm's Vocas.

This victory was Darragh's first Grand Prix win at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. The young rider, who recently turned 23, was very pleased with the class and praised Gael Force, a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding by Cavalier Royale, on his consistency.

"He jumped both rounds fantastically and he has always been a great horse for me," said Darragh. "It was a good track and I knew Brianne was really fast. I knew that there was really no way that I could catch her other than to do my crazy five strides down the last line. It worked out for me at the time, but it was lucky.

"Gael Force has had a lot of really good results. He won a grand prix with me in Saratoga the first week I started working for Missy. That was a nice start and it has been nice to have him."

Commenting on the course, he added: "The first round was not super for my horse, even though he jumped great. There were a lot of short distances and he is a little bit on the strong side, but when he got there in a difficult spot he jumped even better, which was great. He was in fantastic form."

Darragh will jump Gael Force in the $40,000 Surpass CSI** Grand Prix on Saturday, 29 January and then n the $75,000 FEI Nations Cup CSIO**** presented by G&C Farm during week eight of the WEF.

"I am lucky that I have great people behind me, like Missy [Clark] and John [Brennan] and North Run," said Darragh. "The whole barn does a great job. They work really hard and we all work really well together so we are lucky to get good results out of it."

In addition to earning the top prize in today's WEF Challenge Cup, Darragh was also presented with a $3,000 bonus for riding in his SSG gloves during the class.

For full results, click here