Ireland’s Darragh Kenny’s road map to Paris on track via WEF and Amsterdam

Darragh Kenny and Amsterdam 27 claimed victory in the $385,000 5* Grand Prix at the Winter Equestrian Festival’s [WEF] Saturday Night Lights, with the Irishman claiming “he’s the most talented horse I’ve ever sat on.”

The pair became a trio of Irish riders on the podium, winning in a time of 38.66 ahead of the Emerald Isle’s Cian O’Conor and Maurice, finishing in 39.36 and Jordan Coyle on For Gold in 39.69 – the combination accomplishing the first clear early in the first round and going on to set the bar in the jump off.

Darrah Kenny and Amsterdam 27 – Paris Olympic hopefuls. Photo: Sarah Eakin

“It’s fantastic,” Cian said. “Three Irishman in the top three and Jordan turns as only he can do. Darragh and Jordan are great team mates and it certainly augurs well for the Irish team ahead.”

Forty one entries took on the course designed by France’s Gregory Bodo who is at WEF, and in the States for the first time, prior to his position as course designer at the Paris Olympics. “I did not come here to prepare the riders for the Olympics,” he said. “I came here to build the courses that I normally would.”

While some riders were new to Gregory’s work, others were aware that he had a certain style. “Myself and Cian we have jumped Gregory’s courses before so we had a good idea of how he builds,” said Darragh. “He builds very technical, very delicate, very much about the rider and how they ride. He built an excellent course tonight. Six clears out of 40. He did a fantastic job. The last line was delicate but difficult.”

Great night for the Irish with Cian O’Connor and Maurice one of three riders from the Emerald Isle to grace the podium. Photo: Sarah Eakin

There were several hot spots for rails on the course, the last fence, being the downfall for Kent Farrington, who, currently ranked 4th worldwide, was one of the favorites in the jump off, going last aboard 10-year old grey Oldenburg mare, Greya. Presentations over – including the Double H Farm $500 Grooms award to Darragh’s Kelsi Ciona – conversation reverted to the Olympic Games.

“I think everybody is very, very motivated this year,” said Darragh. “The Olympics in Paris is going to be an amazing thing. We all want to go. Everyone’s working hard and I think you see the competition here is pretty hard. It’s at the highest level that it’s been the last couple of years and I think it’s going to get harder and harder as the circuit goes on.”

Amsterdam 27 is the former Pan-American Games mount of Canada’s Mario Delauriers and Olympic partner of Darragh’s student and owner Teddy Vlock.

An injury sidelined Amsterdam 27 for a full year, but the horse is back and on even better form. “The vets didn’t really think he’d make it back, but he came back to this level now and he’s doing it better,” said Darragh.

Darragh is hopeful that Amsterdam 27 – a 14-year old bay Holsteiner gelding who he owns jointly with Vlock Show Stables LLC – will get him to Paris. “He’s an absolutely incredible horse,” he said. “He’s just been amazing. He’s quality, scopey, smart. He’s just a really really good horse. I think he has the ability to win anything. And I’ve just got to stay out of his way. He’s so fun to ride. He got Teddy to the Olympics so hopefully he can do the same for me.”