Press release from FEI written by Catie Staszak

In a field that included four former Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final Champions, both sub league leaders in the North American League, and the world’s top ranked rider, it was world no. 8 Darragh Kenny (IRL) that shined brightest in the $213,300 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Wellington (USA) at Deeridge Farms.

Kenny and Classic Dream (Colestus x Inster Graditz) took home a victory and 20 crucial qualifying points toward the 2020 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final, set for Las Vegas (USA) in April. The duo crossed the timers with a comfortable winning margin, recording a final time of 36.70 seconds. Cassio Rivetti (BRA) finished second aboard Bacara d’Archonfosse (Asca Z x Kannan) with a time of 38.29 seconds, while Devin Ryan (USA) and Eddie Blue (VDL Zirocco Blue x Marlon) finished third. That duo’s time was 39.00 seconds.

"He was fantastic. He jumped unbelievable. He's such an incredible horse, because he's so simple to ride. He just wants to jump the jumps clear, and today he was super," Darragh Kenny said. 

Despite the accomplished nature of the field, just three combinations were able to navigate a clear first round to advance to the jump-off of Alan Wade’s (IRL) course, and all three repeated the feat in the jump-off. Last to go of the trio, Kenny confidently rode his mount straight to the top of the leaderboard, a reflection of his belief in his horse. 

“We always felt he was a top grand prix horse and [that] he could go to the highest level,” Kenny explained. “I think he’s only starting to show that now. He was incredible as a 7-year-old [and as] an 8-year-old, [but] he had a bit of a rough last year—a few little mistakes here and there getting used to the height. Now, this year he started out fantastic. I think in the future, he’ll be one of the best horses in the world.”  

Kenny is registered with the Western European League, and his 20 points moved him into 10th in those standings with 45 points. On the North American League east coast, Beezie Madden (USA) moved to the top of the standings with a sixth-place finish aboard Breitling LS. She now has 59 points. Brian Moggre (USA) sits second with 56 points, while Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) is third with 46 points. The top seven in the east coast standings all jumped at Wellington.

On the west coast, Karl Cook (USA) remains atop the standings with 58 points, but Rivetti moved into second and now has 46 points. Ashlee Bond (ISR) is third in the standings with 39 points.

The North American League continues in Leon (MEX) on 8 February 2020.