Offaly’s Darragh Kenny has proven once again why he is one of the top riders in the world by taking an outstanding victory in Sunday’s Longines FEI World Cup Grand Prix at Deeridge, Florida in the USA.

Kenny was riding the Ann Thompson-owned 10-year-old gelding Classic Dream. After producing a brilliant performance over a tough track designed by Tipperary’s Alan Wade in the first round, Kenny then came back as second last to go in the second round to take the winner’s prize of over $70,000, along with some valuable World Cup points.

Speaking afterwards, a delighted Darragh Kenny was full of praise for his winning mount: “He [Classic Dream] is a green horse in jump-off’s but he is an incredible jumper and I just went as fast as I could. He felt great and was trying hard – he was fantastic.”

Flagbearer for the TIH

Tributes have been paid by the eventing world to McKinlaigh since the news of the 26-year-old Irish bred’s death. Chris Ryan, who featured in these pages three weeks ago bought the special liver chesnut gelding as a three-year-old out of Goresbridge before selling him as a four-year-old. McKinlaigh was the individual silver medallist at the 2008 Olympics, among many other prolific wins and placings throughout is eventing career. McKinlaigh spent his retirement in California, where Chris visited him twice.

Merveldt injured

Irish dressage rider Anna Merveldt will be out of the saddle for a few weeks after breaking her arm. Merveldt sustained the injury after falling down the stairs at her trainer Johann Hinnemann’s yard a few days before she was due to travel to Amsterdam for the Longines FEI World Cup show. Merveldt reports that she hopes to be back in the saddle “very soon” as she gears up for the Tokyo Olympics.

Jack Dodd foundation

The Jack Dodd foundation were delighted to make their pledged donations of €3,500 each to both the Brain Battle Fund at Maastricht University Hospital, and the Irish Kidney Association last week. The Jack Dodd Foundation was formed in memory of Jack Dodd, an international show jumper who tragically passed away in June 2018 following a road accident.

The foundation aims to carry Jack’s legacy and build on his core values by creating an international community for riders and their families, providing them with support and access to all the tools they need to thrive both as athletes and as individuals.

Eventing clinics

Don’t forget to get out and support our Irish eventers this weekend as they run their ‘Take On Tokyo’ eventing tour, which aims to raise funds to support the Irish eventing team’s preparation and participation for the summer Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The tour will begin at Maryville in Co Cork on 7 February (start time 6pm), followed by Ravensdale in Co Louth on 8 February (start time 4pm) and Spruce Lodge in Co Wicklow on 9 February (start time 2pm). Tickets can be purchased through the Eventing Ireland website.