Donning festive costumes to celebrate the Halloween season, 57 horse-and-rider partnerships representing 10 nations tested their footspeed Wednesday evening in the $36,000 Free x Rein International Jumper Welcome Speed CSI4*, the first show jumping class of the 2019 National Horse Show. Ranked No. 9 in the world based on the Longines FEI standings, Darragh Kenny (IRL) proved why he deserves that distinction with a rapid navigation of the course with the reins on Vlock Show Stables LLC’s Billy Dorito, besting a field comprised of riders in guises such as the Flintstones, Toy Story characters and the Joker, among many other inventive outfits.
HS Krooze maneuvered the pattern at a breakneck pace, galloping across the finish line almost ten full seconds faster in 53.80 seconds. Their time would not hold for long though, as fellow Irishman Kenny jockeyed Billy Dorito to the slightly faster time of 53.74 seconds, capturing the lead by mere milliseconds as the 16th duo in the order. More than 40 subsequent contenders, which featured costumes such as jockeys, a judge, Mario and Luigi, multiple generations of Madonna and more, chased down the frontrunners over the remainder of the class, but the swift speed put forth by Kenny and Billy Dorito proved uncatchable, solidifying the Irish partnership as the 2019 winners of the $36,000 Free x Rein International Jumper Welcome Speed CSI4*. Dressed as a skeleton, Coyle retained second position with his own CHS Krooze, and Andy Kocher (USA) jumped to the final podium spot aboard Eye Candy Jumpers’ Fashion V, breaking the beam in 54.070 seconds as Freddie Mercury and his golden steed.
Appropriately outfitted for the Kentucky crowd, Sloane Coles (USA) dressed as a bottle of bourbon for her ride aboard Calisto 26. Going all out with a body suit and cut-out photos of the famous Kentucky liquor, she was awarded the Best Costume Award for her creative efforts.
FROM THE WINNERS CIRCLE
Darragh Kenny – $36,000 Free x Rein International Jumper Welcome Speed CSI4* winner
On Billy Dorito:
“It's a 9-year-old horse that belongs to Teddy Vlock. He is a very nice horse that is still just getting to know this level and these shows, but I think he is going to be a very good horse. He did Washington [International Horse Show] last week and has been good here this week, so he is settling in quite well. Next year he will start to jump more grand prix classes. This year we are just trying to help him gain some experience and get to know these types of rings, and then next year he will step up to a higher level. ”
On the course:
“I had a plan to go as quick as I could and do the plan that I wanted to do and it paid off.”
On showing at the National Horse Show:
“It's a lovely horse show with a super ring to ride in. It is also a very well done horse show and it’s nice to be here.”
On competing in costume:
“I think once you are in the ring, you don’t notice that you are wearing a costume. I try to always wear something that is not too crazy, but I don’t seem to notice when I am in the ring.”