Press release from Spruce Meadows, edited by World of Showjumping

It seems the Irish are not to be messed with this season at Spruce Meadows. After multiple strong showings last week to kick off the FEI tournaments at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Canada, they dominated Thursday's CSI5* 1.55m Recon Metal Cup: Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Eddy Blue (Eldorado Vd Zeshoektook x Chacco-Blue) took the top spot against a strong field of 40, posting the fastest clear round in the jump-off of 14 to take the win with a time of 40.07s.

“It was a great class," Kenny said. "Very fast jump-off. I absolutely love jumping in this ring. The footing is incredible. You know, I it's always been a lucky ring for me, actually, I've always had good success in it. And, my horse was brilliant. He's in super form at the moment. He had a really uncharacteristic result in the Grand Prix last week, but, he bounced back and jumps super today, and I expect a good result on Saturday.”

There was less than two-tenths of a second from first to third with David O’Brian (IRL) on El Balou OLD (Eldorado Vd Zeshoek x Balou du Rouet) and Conor Swail (IRL) aboard My Lady Lavista (Mylord Carthago x Levisto) taking second and third in 40.15s and 40.23s respectively.

Ireland's Conor Swail – currently rankend 15th in the world – topped the leaderboard in the CSI5* 1.50m Francis Family Cup to start day two of the Spruce Meadows 'National', presented by Rolex. Aboard the 9-year-old stallion Clonterm Obolensky (Cornet Obolensky x Lux Z), who's been in Swail's hands since May 2025, Swail posted the fastest clear ride of the jump-off of nine to take the win with a time of 42.48. Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Mendoza VDL (Harley x Cardento 933) took the runner-up spot in 43.39, while Katie Laurie (AUS) and Olyda vd Bisschop (Diamant de Semilly x Kashmir van Schuttershof) placed third in 49.51.