First World Problems: Darragh’s Dilemma
Ireland’s Darragh Kenny could potentially be faced with a luxurious dilemma. With an abundance of top-rated equine talent, selecting his partner ahead of upcoming major championships could become a challenge. How will he navigate these decisions?
In the world of elite showjumping, having a stable full of talented horses is usually considered a blessing. For Darragh Kenny, the upcoming European Championships in Milano this summer but also next year’s Olympic Games in Paris could present a unique first-world problem: choosing which of his four top-rated horses, each boasting an Elo-rating over 700, will he pick to represent his country on the world stage? As the anticipation builds, this prestigious predicament has captured our attention.
Darragh Kenny has already represented his country at two European Championships as well as at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Today, the Irishman has a strong string of horses to be competitive at the highest level. Four of his horses currently sport an Elo-rating of over 700 and three of them have even already competed in a major championship in the past.
VOLNAY DU BOISDEVILLE (740) is his top-ranked horse right now. The pair have started off the 2023 season in Wellington with success and already added a podium finish in a five-star Grand Prix to their record this year. Volnay du Boisdeville competed in the 2018 Jumping World Equestrian Games at the age of nine, not with Darragh, but under the saddle of France’s Alexandra Francart.
Darragh Kenny’s partner for the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, VDL CARTELLO (723), is currently the second-highest rated horse in his string. Currently 16 years old, the grey stallion could still be a great contender for a championship, however we haven’t seen VDL Cartello in international competition since October 2021.
VDL Cartello is not the only horse in Darragh’s string that competed in Tokyo. AMSTERDAM 27 (719) tackled the 2021 Olympic Games paired with one of Darragh’s students, Teddy Vlock. Since then, the gelding had been on a break from competition, but has recently returned to the show ring with Darragh Kenny. The pair have set off on the right foot together, already finishing on the podium in a 160 CSI4* Grand Prix in Wellington.
CHIC CHIC (717) may have an Elo over 700, he might not be Darragh first pick for a championship team. Although the pair is very competitive at four and five-star 150/155 sporting an 80% clear rate at that level, Chic Chic hasn’t jumped a 160 in the past 12 months.
But Darragh’s dilemma doesn’t end there. Aside from the four aforementioned horses, the Irishman has four more potential stars in the background, ready to make their breakthrough. Particularly VANCOUVER DREAMS (661) has been showing great promise recently. The 13-year-old only joined Darragh Kenny’s stables a couple of months ago, but the pair already managed to claim victory in a CSI4* Grand Prix together.
With four horses rated over 700 on Elo and three of them already having contested a major championship in the past, Darragh Kenny finds himself in a position most riders can only dream of. As he prepares for the European Champions later in the year and the 2024 Paris Olympics, selecting the perfect partner for from his array of talented horses could be a challenge. Ultimately, Darragh Kenny’s predicament highlights the depth and quality of talent in both rider and horses, ensuring that, whichever horse he chooses, the Irish showjumping team will be a force to reckon with.