OFFALY-born Darragh Kenny failed in his bid for a World Cup hat-trick when finishing third in the World Cup Qualifier at Wellington in Florida last night (Saturday), but the points gained now put him at the top of the US East Coast League, and secure his ticket to this year's Rolex World Cup Finals at Geneva in April.

Riding the 14 year-old Trade Winds Farm-owned bay gelding 'Obelix', Kenny had the second-last fence down in the jump-off when recording the competition's fastest round, and had to yield first place to Venezuela's Pablo Barrios, who clocked up a double clear round on 'G&C Lagran'.

Speaking afterwards, 21 year-old Kenny said: "The horse felt really good. He was fantastic. I tried to be as quick as I could, but it didn't pay off. That's the way it happens. I'm going to the World Cup Finals. It wasn't the plan at the beginning of the year, but he's been great. These guys are thinking of the WEG, but for me if I got to go to the WEG (World Equestrian Games) it would be brilliant, but it's not my main plan. I'm younger and less experienced. For this year for me, it's about gathering experience."

Fourth place in the class was taken by Ireland's Shane Sweetnam, who had the second fence down in the jump-off with 'Rolette'.

Kenny had previously won the World Cup Qualifier prize at Green Cove Springs in Northern Florida in January, and previously to that had taken first place at Syracuse, NY in October of last year.