Darragh Kenny

Darragh Kenny is an Irish equestrian who competes in the sport of show jumping. Kenny won a training bursary at the RDS Dublin Horse Show in 2007 to go and work for Missy Clark and John Brennan at North Run Stables in Warren, Vermont. He returned in the winter of 2008 to compete for them on the Florida circuit. In 2012, Kenny setup Oakland Ventures LLC and over the last three years, it has thrived as one of the most successful competition barns across the United States with Kenny at the helm.

As of the end of May 2015, he is ranked 34th in the Rolex World Rankings.

2011

HITS on The Hudson VIII, Saugerties, New York: Kenny and the Wannahave Group's Wannahave took 5th prize of $75,000 in the 'Pfizer $Million Grand Prix

HITS on the Hudson VI, Saugerties, New York: He rode S & L Shoe Guru to 9th place in the $100,000 Grand Prix to earn $3,000.

HITS on the Hudson IV, Saugerties, New York: Wannahave took 5th prize of $3,000 in the $50,000 Grand Prix.

HITS on the Hudson III, Saugerties, New York: Gael Force earned $8,000 by finishing 4th in the $100,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix. Wannahave also picked up $1,000 for 7th place in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix.

HITS on the Hudson II, Saugerties, New York: Wannahave finished in 8th position in the $75,000 Grand Prix, earning $2,250.

CSI2*-W Wellington, Florida: Kenny and Missy Clarke's Gael Force took the top prize in the WEF Challenge Cup of €6,600.

2010

After securing his place, Kenny traveled to Geneva for the FEI Rolex World Cup Final where he finished 28th.

Kenny was selected for the Irish team to compete at the first leg of the Meydan Nations Cup at La Baule, France. On day 2, he finished 5th in the two phase 1m45 class with Celano. Kenny made his Meydan Nations Cup debut and helped the team secure 6th place: (Shane Breen - Carmena Z - 0/0, Niall Talbot - Tequi d'I - 8/Ret., Darragh Kenny - 'Obelix - 8/4, Cameron Hanley - Southwind VDL - 0/4)

Kenny travelled as part of the squad for the second leg of the Meydan Nations Cup at the CSIO5* Rome. He directed Celano to 3rd place in the opening class - a 1m40 speed class. Kenny was 2nd to jump for the Irish team that finished equal 3rd in the Nations Cup on 12 faults: Cameron Hanley (Southwind VDL) - (8)/4; Darragh Kenny (Obelix) - 4/(8); Cian O'Connor (K Club Lady) - 4/0; Billy Twomey (Tinka's Serenade) - 0/4.

Before returning to the USA, Kenny was part of the Irish team at the 3rd leg of the Meydan Nations Cup Series at the CSIO5* St. Gallen, Switzerland. The team finished 4th, bringing their overall ranking also up to 4th: Shane Breen (Carmena Z) 5/5; Darragh Kenny (Obelix) 5/(16); Cian O'Connor (K Club Lady) 9/4; Billy Twomey (Je T'aime Flamenco) (9)/0.

In early July, Kenny - back based in the USA - competed at the CSI2* Lake Placid Horse Show, New York. Here he took first and fifth place in the Grand Prix with Gael Force and Armani respectively. He also won a 1m45 class with Celano.

On the first weekend of September, Kenny (and Obleix)claimed third place in the $250,000 World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix at the Hampton Classic Horse Show in Long Island, New York. He also won two classes at Long Island on the opening day of the CSI4*, with Looping Star and Bazooka de Muze, and took fifth place in the Spy Farms Grand Prix on Thursday, riding Missy Clarke's Cavalier Royale gelding 'Gael Force'.

CSI3*-W Washington: Kenny secured 6th place aboard Gael Force in the FEI World Cup qualifier.

• 2010
  • 3rd, FEI World Cup qualifier - CSI4* Bridgehampton, New York, USA, (Obelix)
  • Grand Prix, CSI2* Lake Placid, New York, USA, (Gael Force)
  • FEI World Cup qualifier - Green Cove Springs, FL, USA (Obelix)
• 2009
  • FEI World Cup qualifier - Syracuse CSI4*, NY, USA (Obelix)