Darragh Kenny and Zero K Win WEF Challenge Cup Rnd 9

Irish Olympian Darragh Kenny has come a long way in a short time with his new mount Zero K. Since welcoming the mare into his string in December, he has stepped her up into five-star grand prix ranks. Together they claimed their biggest win yet on Thursday at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in the $116,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round 9.

“I’ve been getting to know the mare a lot better through the circuit because I only got her one show before [WEF] started,” Kenny explained. “The first rounds have been pretty good, jump-offs haven’t been perfect. I knew it was going to be very fast today, and she has a big stride, so a lot of the lines were connected. I could use her big stride and hopefully not make mistakes.”

Coming home mistake-free indeed over Alan Wade’s (IRL) short course, Kenny left the rest of 16-horse field to catch him, and ultimately none could. His time of 34.86 seconds was the fastest of the six double-clears by a notable margin, leaving Daniel Bluman (ISR) in second with Gemma W, owned by Over The Top Stables, on a time of 36.07 seconds. Spencer Smith (USA) finished in third with Keeneland, owned by Ashland Farms & Storm Ridge Capital. (Top Canadian in this class was Tiffany Foster, 8th riding Battlecry.)

Scroll to continue with content

Kenny admits he took some risks to get the job done, but with the caliber of rider coming behind him, he didn’t have many options if he wanted the top spot.

“I was really nervous doing the six [strides from fences] one to two because I was a long way away,” he said. “These classes are so competitive. There are so many brilliant riders. One day it’s me, next day it’s Kent [Farrington], next day it’s Richard Vogel, Henrik Von Eckermann, Mclain Ward. That’s just how competitive this circuit is here.”

With another shot at a five-star grand prix in the $500,000 Bainbridge Companies Grand Prix on Saturday night, Kenny is feeling confident now that he is more familiar with the 11-year-old Danish Warmblood mare (Kannan x Robin Z) and what motivates her.

“She’s very sensitive,” Kenny elaborated on Zero K’s character. “She’s special in her own way, but in the ring, she wants to do her best. Sometimes she tries too hard, but it’s always in the right way, and that’s what I really like about her. She’s a little tense sometimes, but for the most part she’s just misunderstood. She wants to be the best she can be.”

Taking things relatively slowly, Kenny feels like he’s just now gearing up for some top results with a strong, yet smaller string of horses.

“I’ve been a little late to the party this season,” the winner from the WEF 1 Hermès 1.50m Classic reflected on his season so far. “I’ve taken my time and not rushed any of the horses and put their health before everything. It’s starting to show. Eddy Blue was super the other week in the grand prix, and this horse feels good now. I’m getting to know her well. She’ll still be green Saturday night, but I feel like the partnership is building, which is great.”

Full results from the $116,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round 9 HERE.