Kenny claims major Grand Prix win in Monaco

Offaly’s Darragh Kenny put in a stellar performance in Saturday’s (3 June) five-star Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Monaco to claim victory on board Idalville d’Esprit.

A relatively new combination, with Kenny taking up the ride of the Heathman Farm and Lorcan Gallagher-owned gelding in April, the duo were one of just six combinations to jump clear in the opening round of the 1.60m contest. Drawn second last to go, they produced what proved an unbeatable clear in 37.89 seconds to claim the €100,000 top prize.

Earlier in the day, Kenny topped the podium in the Global Champions League of Monaco for his Paris Panthers team. This win means he has booked his place in the Prague Super Grand Prix final later this year.

Rotterdam

On Friday evening in Rotterdam, Ireland’s show jumping team of Shane Sweetnam, Bertram Allen, Michael G Duffy and Eoin McMahon recorded a fifth place finish in the Longines FEI Nations Cup of The Netherlands.

At the halfway stage, Ireland were on one time fault after clear rounds from Bertram Allen with the Aiden McGrory-owned Pacino Amiro (ISH), Eoin McMahon with Chacon 2 – owned by Madeleine Winter-Schulze and a single time fault from Michael G Duffy with the Carl Hanley Sporthorses-owned Lapuccino 2 (ISH).

The second round saw Shane Sweetnam with Karlin Van’t Vennehof pick up eight faults. This was followed by Duffy finishing with nine faults. Allen and Pacino Amiro (ISH) looked to be heading for a double clear round before the very last fence fell to leave them on four faults.

The highlight of the Irish performances came from Co Clare’s Eoin McMahon who completed a double clear round when last to go with Chacon 2. This left Ireland on a two round total of 13 faults.

Victory went to the home team from The Netherlands on seven faults.

Ireland are among the 10 teams from Europe Division 1 who have already qualified for the 2021 Longines FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona which takes place at the end of September.