Pender and Kenny lead the way on five star weekend for Irish riders

Darragh Kenny and Eddy Blue finishing second in the $500,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix at Wellington

The Irish equestrian bandwagon rolled on over the weekend with some major wins and podiums across the globe.

There were victories at the highest level for Mikey Pender on Sunday and Jordan Coyle on Friday, with Darragh Kenny and his brilliant Eddy Blue finishing second in the $500,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix at Wellington.

Daniel Coyle was also on the podium in the four star Grand Prix with Farrel in Ocala, while Shane Breen landed a CSI2* Grand Prix in Sharjah with BP Arctic Blue and Conor Swail was runner-up in the three-star Grand Prix at Desert International Horse Park in California on Casturano.

Irish para dressage riders starred as Katie Reilly and Sarah Slattery scored a hat-trick of podium finishes each at the Al Shaqab CPEDI3* in Qatar.

Fresh from his exploits on the Hughes Horse Stud-owned HHS Los Angeles in the Longines League of Nations win for Ireland in Abu Dhabi, Kildare man Pender and another Hughes Horse Stud star, HHS Cyprus, finished top of the pile at the H.H Ruler of Sharjah Cup.

Pender and his nine-year-old were just one of two double clears in the class and came home more than six seconds clear in the jump-off, beating Britain’s Georgia Tame and Be Golden Lynx into second, with David Will in third on board Xixo Borgia.

Kenny and Eddy Blue were agonisingly close to winning the big one in Wellington, finishing less than a second behind American Kent Farrington and Greya in the jump-off at the Florida venue.

Irish Olympian Kenny put in a mammoth effort to catch Farrington in the jump-off but came up short in 41.22 seconds.

“I think even if I did seven less to the double, I wouldn’t have beat Kent,” he said.

“He’s a different type than Kent’s horse; he has a massive stride, so for me in a jump-off there needs to be somewhere I can do less strides than Kent, but I was very proud of the horse. He’s jumped clear in the last eight or nine five-star grand prix.”

Sarah Slattery (left) and Katie Reilly both enjoyed successful weekends in Al Shaqab

In Qatar, Reilly and Slattery both had incredible shows, with Reilly saying: “I simply can’t thank Lottie enough for all she has done for me – these past few weeks have been like a dream. When we are just starting out and bring in scores like we have done over the last few days, it’s incredible.”

Slattery added: “What an amazing week in Al Shaqab CPEDI3*, we had a hat-trick of third place finishes, ending on a personal best in our freestyle with a 72.792%.

“It’s been an absolute incredible experience, from flying Savona for the first time to the great stables and arenas, the fabulous hotel and to being at this incredible competition along with the top five star dressage, show jumping and para dressage riders.”

In Ocala, Coyle finished third behind winner Brian Moggre (USA) and MTM Vivre Le Reve, with Aaron Vale and Gray’s Inn in second.

After finishing in 36.41 seconds, which was just a tenth of a second behind Vale, Coyle said: “Farrel has been great. Last year was his first year back, and he has proven himself. He’s like a pony — he’s careful, brave, and easy. I’m very proud of him tonight.”