Kenny rides Gael Force to victory

July 03, 2009 03:23 am

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LAKE PLACID — Darragh Kenny of Ireland rode Gael Force to victory in the $30,000 Intercat Inc. Open Jumper Classic CSI 2* Thursday at the 32nd Annual I Love New York Horse Show.

Twelve entries from the starting field of 39 at the North Elba Showgrounds qualified for the tiebreaking jump-off with fault-free rides over the 16-jump, first round course designed by Show Jumping Hall of Famer Conrad Homfeld. Midway through the eight-jump tiebreaker, 20-year-old Brianne Goutal took the lead with a clean ride in 37.88 seconds on Ralvesther, the Dutch-bred mare on whom she won last Sunday's $75,000 RV Sales of Broward Grandprix of Lake Placid for the Whitney Perpetual Challenge Trophy.

Goutal's lead held for the next four rides until Jeff Welles rode Tango to a clean ride in a time of 37.69 seconds. The day's final rider was Kenny, and the 21-year-old moved Welles out of the lead and claimed the win by finishing fault-free in 35.50 seconds.

Earlier in the day, Katrina Woods and Susdal won the Weeks Family Amateur-Owner Jumper Class, and Laura Chapot and Bradberry won the J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines North American League (NAL) Open Speed Stake.

The I Love New York Horse Show continues through Sunday. Saturday's Fourth of July schedule features the week's main event, the $75,000 Hermes Grandprix. Prior to the Grandprix is the horse show's 17th Annual Doggie Costume Contest. All people with leashed dogs in costume are admitted to the horse show free of charge.

The contest's co-sponsors, the Brown Dog Café and Wine Bar, A Placid Life and Jake Placid Doghouse, will present awards, to this year's "top dogs." Categories include "Best in Show - Local Entry," "Best in Show - Horse Show Entry," "Funniest Costume" and the top three "Overall Best." There is no entry fee, and all canine entrants go home with a special event treat bag.