UPPERVILLE, Va., June 8, 2024– Ireland’s Darragh Kenny was alone on the podium following Saturday’s $30,000 American Standard Grand Prix at the 171st Upperville Colt & Horse Show presented by MARS Equestrian™, having captured the top three placings in the class of 27 entries. He finished first with Lightning, second aboard Vancouver Dreams and third riding Vico G. The American Standard Grand Prix was sponsored by The Salamander Collection.
“My plan was to try and go as fast as I can with all of them and see who would win,” Kenny explained. “Lightning is very green, so I decided to go as fast as she feels comfortable and see how it held up. She seems to be naturally quick, but I didn’t think she was going to win the class!”
He continued, “I wanted to be quick and clear with Vico G, as he is only eight years old, and my last mare, Vancouver Dreams is actually quite experienced so I could go very fast on her, and it worked out for me today.”
Kenny, who is based in Wellington Fla., will ride Heathman Farm, LLC’s Hamrah van Het Exelhof Z in the $226,000 FEI4* Upperville Jumper Classic co-presented by Ethel M Chocolates and Lugano Diamonds on Sunday, June 9.
UCHS is the oldest horse show in the U.S. Founded in 1853 as a one-day show to encourage better breeding and care of horses, the show has grown to a weeklong tradition with more than 2000 equestrian and equine pairs competing in a variety of competitive disciplines. Many of the continent’s top professional riders as well as amateurs compete under the spectacular setting featuring the famous oaks at Grafton Farm.