Text © World of Showjumping 

Darragh Kenny (IRL) has opened CHIO Aachen 2021 in the best possible way, and took his second win in just as many days when besting a field of 53 world-class horse-and-rider combinations in Wednesday’s Prize of StädteRegion Aachen in memory of Landrat Hermann-Josef Pütz. The 1.50m class was jumped in two phases, with those clear over the first part of the course moving on to the second phase against the clock – where another six fences waited. 

Yesterday, Kenny won the Sparkassen Youngster Cup with Crispo 2 (Casall x San Patrignano Corrado), today, the victory came aboard the 12-year-old stallion Volnay du Boisdeville (Winningmood x Jalisco B). Coming in as third-last to go, Kenny rode a lightning fast round – crossing the finish line in 31.47 seconds. With this incredible time, the Irishman snatched the win from Marc Dilasser (FRA) and Chamann HAS (Mylord Carthago *HN x Socrate de Chivre), that had taken the lead half-way into the class after stopping the clock at 32.25 seconds.

Third place went to Lillie Keenan (USA) and the lovely 10-year-old stallion Agana van het Gerendal Z (Aganix du Seigneur x Topas), who effortlessly flew around the second phase in 32.86 seconds. Keenan was followed by Harrie Smolders (NED) and Cas 2 (Indoctro x Numero Uno) in fourth with a time of 34.09 seconds, while fifth place went to Petronella Andersson (SWE) and Haltia O (Eldorado v. Zeshoek x Heartbreaker) in 34.72 seconds.

“I am really happy with Volnay du Boisdeville, he felt fantastic today – and it is always really, really nice to win and have good results here in Aachen!” the happy winner Darragh Kenny said. “I have Volnay du Boisdeville from Teddy Vlock, who normally competes him, and I am going to ride him for a little bit of time now,” Kenny explained. “I’m just lucky to have such a nice horse!”

Earlier in the day, Felipe Amaral (BRA) won the Prize of Handwerk – a 1.45m class against the clock. Riding the 14-year-old stallion Germanico T (Numero Uno x Julius), the Brazilian rider was by far the fastest when he stopped the clock at 57.74 to take the top honours. Lauren Goffinet (FRA) followed in runner-up position aboard Absolut de Lacke (Diamant de Semilly x Parco), with a time of 62.75 seconds. Third place went to Erica Swartz (SWE) with Madonna (Flamenco de Semilly x Carabas vd Wateringhoeve), who crossed the finish line in 63.65 seconds.