Ireland’s Darragh Kenny led a twelve-horse jump-off with a speedy finish in Saturday’s $50,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m National Grand Prix riding 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding Important De Muze, owned by Kerry Anne LLC. The pair posted a time of 35.96 seconds to best an international field.
Darragh Kenny on Important de Muze. Photo by Sportfot.
“My horse felt really good in the first round, and the course was straightforward as I walked it,” said Kenny of Ken Krome’s track. “Going into the jump-off, I felt confident with my horse because he is quite experienced and he has done a good number of these classes. I knew I could do one less stride than most of my competitors from one to two and then I had to stay on and hope it went well.”
Kenny has had the ride on Important de Muze for more than a year and developed a strong partnership with the mount.
“He has been a super horse for me,” said Kenny, who has been a familiar face at WEF for the last decade, and is having a memorable 2020 season with consistent top results. “This year has been great, and they have done a great job with the footing in the International Arena which has made a big difference.”
Darragh Kenny and Important de Muze in their winning presentation with Vice President of Development Tim Luby of CaptiveOne Advisors and ringmaster Steve Rector. Photo by Sportfot.
Behind Kenny in second place, McLain Ward (USA) rode his own Mundill to a time of 36.555 seconds. Finishing close behind in third place was Jessica Mendoza from Great Britain aboard Dollar Girl producing a clear round with a time of 36.827 seconds for owner Winsor Farms. Fourth place went to Antonio Martinez, Jr. (VEN) and Forman De Virton, owned by Tack Up Stable Corp. with no faults and a time of 37.553 seconds. Rounding out the top five, Molly Ashe Cawley (USA) rode Van De Emma to a time of 39.093 seconds for owner Oakridge Farm.