“I went as fast as I could go and hoped it was good enough,” said Darragh Kenny, explaining the strategy that won him the Longines FEI World Cup Show Jumping Qualifier as the London International Horse Show wrapped up its festive run on Sunday.
“The way he felt today, I think I can have a really good shot at it,” the Irish rider mused before he went second on Eddy Blue in the five-horse jump-off. It appeared the combination to beat would be 2023 winner and home favorite Ben Maher, three-time Olympic gold medalist on Point Break.
On the second-line of the jump-off course, however, Darragh took five strides between the fences while the British competitor, fourth to go, took six strides. That decision turned out to be the difference between the winning time of 34.76 seconds and second-place in 35.15. Third place went to the fastest 4-faulter in the jump-off, Robert Whitaker of Great Britain, clocked in 37.89 seconds on Vermento.
Victory at the London International meant a great deal to Darragh Kenny.
“I’ve watched this show since I was four years old,” recalled a delighted Darragh, who also took the leading rider title.
“It’s just an incredible show, the feeling is unbelievable, the crowd is just the best ever. It’s just really fun to be able to win it.”
Darragh Kenny on his way to victory with Eddy Blue. (Photo courtesy London International)
For his part, Ben said, “Point Break is in amazing form and gives me great confidence. He doesn’t have so much experience in the jump-offs, but he has to learn one day.”
This is literally a home show for Ben, as he lives nearby.
“It’s always great to be here; Christmas spirit,” he remarked.
And true enough, the show at the ExCeL arena is as much about Christmas as it is top sport. The tradition that began when it was at its former home in the Olympia facility continues, as Father Christmas (Santa on the U.S. side of the Atlantic) with a jolly ho-ho-ho came in pulled by a pair of white horses, and a contingent of green-clad elves did a little dance as flakes of artificial snow came down while the crowd sang “The First Noel.”
Father Christmas makes his entrance.
Austria’s Max Kuhner, twelfth on EIC Anton Sbk Z with a knockdown in the first round, noted his horse “was a little bit impressed from the beginning with the atmosphere,” and indeed, it was a lot to take in.
That was especially true over the route designed by Bernardo Costa Cabral of Portugal and his team, where the usual triple-combination was accompanied by an unusual pairing of two double-combinations that spelled trouble for 14 entries.
“It’s trappy everywhere,” commented British rider Scott Brash, who said the course was fair but called the arena “a tricky ring,” with the crowd close to the action along the rail.
The class was practically awash in Whitakers, with three of them competing. Robert is the son of John Whitaker, who rode in other classes at the show. When I started covering international shows in the 1980s, John and his brother, Michael, were pillars of the British team, and now their children are top competitors as well. The Brits aren’t just training the new generation of riders, they are breeding them!
Other highlights of London include the dressage World Cup Qualifier, the second feature on this website, and the four-in-hand driving World Cup Qualifier. Three driving teams returned for the drive-off. Despite incurring penalties for two balls that fell from the cones, the Netherlands’ Ijsbrand Chardon won. Ten-time FEI World Cup™ Final winner Boyd Exell of Australia was second with Friday’s winner Dries Degrieck of Belgium in third.
The riders have had quite a month with London following the Geneva show (read about it here and here), and different winners in each spectacular competition. Now, paraphrasing Santa, it’s merry Christmas to all horses and riders, and to all a good rest.
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