WELLINGTON, Fla.-Darragh Kenny on Amsterdam 27 won the $385,000, CSI5* Grand Prix as the Irish placed first, second and third on Saturday evening, Feb. 10 during the first of four five-star weeks at the Winter Equestrian Festival.
Darragh Kenny on Amsterdam 27 (Photo by Sportfot)The win ended a nearly two-year drought of five-star grand prix victories for the Irish Olympian.
Only six were clean from the starting field of 41 over a course set by Gregory Bodo of France, who is course designer for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris this summer.
Going third in the first round, Jordan Coyle of Ireland on For Gold was the first clean, followed by Natalie Dean, Belgian Olympian Nicola Philippaerts, fellow Irishmen Cian O’Connor and Kenny and Kent Farrington.
In the jump-off, Coyle on For Gold was clean in 39.69, Dean on Acota M had eight faults, Philippaerts on Katanga V/H Dingeshof had four faults in 40.00 and O'Connor on Maurice was clean in 39.36.
Kenny on Amsterdam 27, going second to last, was clean in 38.66, then Farrington on Greya, the last to go, had the time but with a rail down to place fourth..
“IT'S A GREAT result for all the Irish riders,” said Kenny, 36. “I think we work very hard when we're here, and we try very hard to win always. Tonight really showed that we can do it when we need to."
“He's an absolutely incredible horse; he's the most talented animal I've ever sat on,” said Kenny of Amsterdam 27, the former Pan-American Games mount of Canada’s Mario Delauriers and Olympic mount of Kenny’s student and owner Teddy Vlockof Israel. “He's quality, scopey, smart and has the ability to win anything. I just have to stay out of his way and let him do his thing.”
An injury sidelined Amsterdam 27 for a full year, but the horse is back and better than ever.
“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 Kenny.
Kenny represented Ireland in the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo and feels that Amsterdam 27 is the horse to give him a berth to this year’s games in Paris.
“WEF's at the highest level that it's been in years and I think it's going to get hotter and hotter as the circuit goes on,” said Kenny.
Combining the win with another podium in Thursday’s qualifier on Eddy Blue, Kenny won the Martha Jolicoeur Leading International Rider Award.
O’Connor on a new mount, Maurice, was second.
“Maurice is experienced; he did the European Championships last year with a Turkish rider and I saw him there in Milan last September and bought him after that,” said O’Connor. “We took it slow and it's a long year so I plan to give him a break now and then build up for the end of the circuit.
“It's fantastic to have three Irishmen in the top three. Jordan turned as only he can do and we agree it was a pity about the order,” said O’Connor. “They are great teammates and it certainly offers well for the Irish for the year ahead.”
Coyle on For Gold was third as Coyle is still getting to know the horse after For Gold joined Coyle’s string one year ago.
“I never had a horse like this ever,” said Coyle. “He's a very genuine character and it took me a little time to believe in him, but hopefully it's starting to click now.”
In competition on Friday, Germany's Rupert Carl Winkelmann on Quinn 33 won the $62,500, CSI5* 1.50m Speed over 56 competitors.
Winkelmann set the lead early in the order, as, going 11th, he finished clean in 60.52 seconds.
“We’re very happy. This is actually my first five-star at WEF, so to come out here and win it is great,” said Winkelmann, 31. “I’ve had Quinn 33 for several years now.”
During the 2023 season at WEF, Quinn 33 was also ridden to international wins with Tanner Korotkin.
“After last season I took over the reins, and he’s been great,” said Winkelmann. “He’s naturally fast and careful as well, so the ride on him is fun. My job is to think ‘slow’ and he takes care of the rest.”
Venezuela's Luis Fernando Larrazabal on Belle De Muze was second with a hair-splitting time of 60.92 seconds, nearly catching the leader as one of the last to go.
Canada’s Erynn Ballard on Game Over was third, clean 61.80 seconds.
“Sean Crooks and I started working together this year and he’s been a great help on the ground,” said Winkelmann of his new training partnership. “It’s been not even six weeks and I already feel improvement with the horses and more consistent.
“I’ve been working by myself for the past year, so I figured to take the next step in the sport,” said Winkelmann. “It was time to have someone by my side to guide me through it, whether that be on the ground or helping me make a course plan. He’s already helped me feel more confident going into the ring.”
