Two of the biggest show jumping competitions on offer across the world last weekend were won by Irish riders and one Irish-bred horse.

Meath’s Nicky Galligan, riding the Irish Sport Horse Javas Miss Jordan, bred in Co Louth by Judy Murphy, flew to the top of the leader board in the $250,000 four-star Grand Prix at Thermal in California with a clear round in 41.15 seconds.

The next best rider was America’s Richard Spooner aboard Quirado RC who was clear in 45.70 seconds.

“I was thinking, have fun today, [it’s a] two horse jump off,” explained Galligan after the win.

“Richard [Spooner] had an amazing track in front of me, his line was so tight on his track, but mine is quick across the ground, so once I could keep the rhythm and keep going, I trusted her to be quick enough.”

Javas Miss Jordan is a nine-year-old mare by Luidam (KWPN) out of Ally Angel (ISH) by OBOS Quality 004 (OLD). Don’t miss our Horse Breeding feature in next week’s edition for an exclusive in-depth interview with her breeder, Judy Murphy.

Kenny’s Impressive win

Meanwhile in Florida, Offaly’s Darragh Kenny won the $37,000 Captive One Advisors 1.50m Classic CSI3* at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).

Riding the Morning Star Sporthorses LLC-owned Vertige De Galarzacs, Kenny was the best of 79 starters, stopping the clock clear in 35.69 seconds to win by nearly one full second from the next best rider, Cork’s Shane Sweetnam, who was riding Ideal, a nine-year-old who is owned by Sweet Oak Farm and Seabrook LLC.

Kenny finished fourth with his first mount, Cicomein VDL with whom he had four faults in 34.84 seconds. Kenny made the most of having two rides, making adjustments in his second round to help him take the win with Vertige De Galarzacs, the 12-year-old Selle Français gelding by Quaprice Bois Margot x Si Tu Viens.

“It made a big difference,” said Kenny.“With the first horse I did six strides up the first line thinking that maybe it would be too long to do five [strides].

“I ended up too short to the next oxer and had the back rail, so with the second horse I did five strides up the first line and stayed a bit wider. It worked out better.”

Kenny’s partnership with Vertige De Galarzacs is very new, having just taken up the ride four weeks ago.

“He’s a very talented horse,” said Kenny. “He has his own technique a little bit, but he wants to be very careful.

“He’s really, really scopey, and I think he’s going to be a really good horse.

“At the start, he didn’t know me, so we just took a week to get used to each other, but now it seems to be really good.