Darragh Kenny and Sweet Tricia make it a double to win the Top Series CSI3* Grand Prix

Ireland’s Darragh Kenny and Sweet Tricia (Berlin x Tampa) made it their second victory in just as many days when taking the win in Saturday’s Top Series CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix presented by Ghelamco. Coming straight from victory in Friday’s Top Series Grand Prix qualifier, the couple went into the second round against the clock as last to go and blew the competition away with another clear in 40.75 seconds – taking the top prize of 16,566 Euro and a STX Tackbox. 

Only one other rider managed to produce a double clear round in this difficult Grand Prix: Dutch rider Kevin Jochems and Faithless Mvdl (Ukato x Clinton) finished 0.27 seconds behind Kenny to take runner-up position. Norway’s Pål Flam carried one time penalty from the first round with him, but with a clear against the clock aboard Abrisco V (Sam R. x Karandasj) it was still good enough for third place. 

“It was a tough class and in the end we only had two double clears,” Kenny commented on the course. “The first round was hard, and the jump-off also caused a lot of problems. But it was a really good class, Uliano is a fantastic course designer!”

“Sweet Tricia jumped fantastic today, she is so, so talented. I have only had her for two months, her owner Sarah Ryan gave her to me to ride in April and now she starts feeling really good. Sweet Tricia is really competitive, and very careful – she just doesn’t want to have the rails down, which makes life a lot easier!” Kenny smiled. 

Saturday’s first class in the Albert Plage ring was the Top Series 1.35m Karcher Prize. Belgium’s Leonie Peeters on Catho (Millar x Voltaire) was the quickest of the thirteen participants, clocking a winning time of 48.27 seconds. Azerbaijan’s Patrick McEntee on April Mury Marais Z (Air Jordan Z x Quinar Z) placed second with a time of 50.76s while the third spot went to Dutch rider Kevin Jochems on Granito Noordenhoek (Corland x Cash) with a time of 52.26s. 

In the Top Series 1.40m two-phase Lieven Hendrickx Supplies Prize, Andres Vereecke made it a home win for Belgium with Zuckersuess d’Argilla (Casall x Cassini II). Vereecke stopped the clock at 33.93 seconds, 0.42s ahead of USA’s Raleigh Hiler with Alvarino 2 (Acodetto 2 x Caretino 2). Third place went to Great Britain’s Jodie Hall McAteer on Coquin de Coquerie Z (Consul Dl Vie Z x Fergar Mail). 

Click here for full results and current Leading Rider standings in the Top Series.