Darragh Kenny & Obelix Triumph in $100k Green Cove Springs World Cup Qualifier
January 16, 2026
Green Cove Springs, FL –Irish born Darragh Kenny now based in Rexford, NY partnered with Obelix bested 27 of the top names in the show jumping world and won the $100,000 Green Cove Springs CSI2* Grand Prix, a World Cup Qualifier, sponsored by Glen Kernan Golf & Country Club.
Awed spectators were treated to an International All Star event with riders representing the Olympics, World Equestrian Games, Pan Am Games, Samsung Super League and of course World Cup Championships. All at the mercy course designer Dave Ballard’s very technical 14 fence [17 effort] layout that serpentine from one end of the arena to the other and all riders hoping to move one step closer to the FEI World Cup Finals in Switzerland.
Ballard, whose home base is Ontario, Canada, is known globally for creating some of the most technical and unique layouts in the sport of show jumping including the 1999 Pan Am Games in Winnipeg, Canada, and the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Tonight’s first round demonstrated why the O Class designer is so highly regarded…and often feared. Despite two big combinations, a triple at 5ABC and double at 11AB, the real test of talent and control began at the #6 oxer with a sharp right turn over the #7 vertical, hard left over #8 oxer and immediate hard right to the #9 oxer. Success meant passing the test clear in under 88 seconds, a task only 7 would accomplish.
The early leader was Olympic veteran McLain Ward partnered with the Sagamore Farms entry Phillipa with a quick clear time of 81.62. Flexing some West Coast muscle, the legendary Richard Spooner followed with Mademoiselle-owned by C & S Partnership, LLC- to ensure a jump off round with a clear time of 83.95. And last night’s $30,000 Welcome winner Kent Farrington and Up Chiqui posted another clear round in 82.51. Five horses later, Olympian Lauren Hough and Casadora (owned by Laura Meteo) added their names to the jump off list with a clean time of 82.62. Spooner would also bring Pariska 2 home clear in 86.38 for owners C & S Partnership, LLC while Canadian great Mac Cone aboard Ole for owners Sara Houstoun and Larry Evov also joined the party with a clear time of 84.11. And then there was the new kid.
Kenny, a mere 21 years of age, is a rider for and student of Missy Clark and John Brennan and feels “very lucky to have a fantastic horse and fantastic people to work with.” Paired with the 14 year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding less than a year, a truly grateful Kenny shared, “My pony started jumping World Cup at the end of last year. He’s an absolutely brilliant horse owned by Connie and Agatha D’Ambra. From day one he’s gelled with me and he’s just brilliant! I’ve been riding him since June [2009], we’ve already had two wins prior to this. I’m just so lucky and thankful to the D’Ambra family.” The dazzling duo was 26th in the order and turned in the final first round clean ride in 82.16.
The 48 second limited final round would be the ultimate challenge of survival of the fittest as horse and rider had to negotiate hairpin turns, including one going into the dreaded triple bar, at heart stopping speeds. Once again it was Ward who set the bar with a blazing clean ride in 34.980. Faults would beseech the next three riders. Lauren Hough and Casadora managed the clear ride but fell short of time with a finish of 35.710. Spooner’s second mount also dropped the bar leaving one rider to challenge Ward. A now laughing Kenny confessed, “I was over the middle of the triple bar saying please leave it up- please leave it up!” As the pair touched down clear of the triple Kenny said he was aware of the crowd erupting wildly, “I didn’t know what else to do but just kick!” With the momentum of the spectators cheers and a more than willing horse the pair sailed over the final jump to stop the clock at 34.120 and clinch victory at their first visit to Jacksonville. “It’s an absolutely beautiful show; the people that run it do a fantastic job, the course was very very good and it’s paid off just great for me. “a happy Kenny added, “But you know when you’re on a horse like that it makes life easy and I’m just so lucky because John and Missy are absolutely fantastic trainers.” Asked about the prospects of going to Switzerland for the Finals the exuberant Irish lad quipped, “Now I think I have to!” For now he’s simply grateful to his team of supporters and dancing a jig to the stables with his partner.
Official results for top five of this evening’s premiere event were as follows; in second place McLain Ward with Phillipa finishing clear in 34.980, third place went to Lauren Hough and Casadora also clean in a time of 35.710, fourth place went to Richard Spooner aboard Mademoiselle with 4 faults in 35.270 and in the fifth position Mac Cone riding Ole to a 4 fault finish in 36.110 seconds.
The Jacksonville Winter Series continues through February 7th with classes Wednesday through Sunday beginning at 8AM until about 5PM except for special events on Saturday evenings at 7PM. Admission to the shows is free – parking at special weekend events is a $5 donation, which goes to support local charities.
For more information or results on the 2010 Jacksonville Winter Series please visit www.classiccompany.com or call the show office at 904-284-1579.
Flashpoint Media Services, based in Harrodsburg, KY, is a comprehensive public relations firm specializing in the equestrian sports. For additional information contact Robbi Meisel, 859-734 3713, [email protected]
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