WELLINGTON, Fla.--Darragh Kenny of Ireland rode Chic Chic to win the $37,000, 1.45m class on March 9, the first day of the third of four internationally-rated five-star weeks at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Darragh Kenny on Chic Chic (Photo by Sportfot)Alan Wade of Ireland designed the power-and-speed course for 62 competitors, with18 from seven countries going clean. 

The Irish dominated the day with Kenny, despite going early, finishing in 32.69 for the win, with Ireland's Mark McAuley placing second on O’Hara ELS in 33.36 seconds.

“I’ve had this horse for several years now, and I know he is naturally quite fast,” said Kenny. “He had a bit of a break over the fall, and he is just building back up to this level. He felt like he was in good form today so I wanted to try and have a good go.”

Kenny has ridden Chic Chic for more than two years.

“He is a very good horse, and he was competitive today,” said Kenny. “Some of the lines in today’s course were a bit short which suited him well because he doesn’t have the biggest stride. If I don’t have to worry about getting down a line it allows me to keep my forward pace better.”

“It has been competitive here as it is every year,” said Kenny. “It is always difficult to win here but if you do, you know you are doing something right.”

Brazilians Eduardo Pereira De Menezes and Rodrigo Pessoa finished third and fourth positions.

Menezes rode H. Big Action to a quick 33.79 seconds, and Pessoa on Venice Beach was fourth in 33.93 seconds.

 

ASHLEY VOGEL on Lucy In The Sky won the $6,000 1.40m CSI2*  in a time of 31.35 seconds earlier in the day.

Almost a third of the 64 competitors went clean.

“I thought today’s course was good for her because it allowed for a lot of places to make up time,” said Vogel. “She is naturally quite quick across the ground, and her bread and butter are really these speed classes like the one we had here today.”

“I have a special place in my heart for mares, and she is no exception,” the 21-year-old said. “I know her like the back of my hand, and she tries her heart out in the ring.”

Rebecca Conway on Jersey Girl was a close second in 31.61 seconds, and Hector Florentino Roca of the Dominican Republic was third as the final competitor to finish under 32 seconds, finishing in a time of 31.99 seconds.

Jos Verlooy of Belgium was both first and second in the $1,000 1.40m CSI5*.

From a class of 40, Verlooy won on FTS Killossery Konfusion in 30.63 seconds, and then was second as well on Nyjerc Z in 30.77 seconds.