There’s no stopping the Irish at Spruce Meadows this season. Following a series of impressive performances during the opening week of FEI competition in Calgary, Team Ireland continued their winning streak on Thursday, storming to victory in the CSI5* 1.55m Recon Metal Cup.

Darragh Kenny (IRL) claimed top honours aboard Eddy Blue (Eldorado Vd Zeshoek x Chacco-Blue), besting a world-class field of 40 riders. Of the 14 who advanced to the jump-off, Kenny delivered the fastest clear round in 40.07 seconds to secure the win.

“It was a great class,” Kenny reflected. “Very fast jump-off. I absolutely love jumping in this ring—the footing is incredible. It’s always been a lucky ring for me, and my horse was brilliant today. He’s in top form at the moment. Last week’s Grand Prix didn’t go our way, but he bounced back beautifully and jumped super today. I’m expecting a strong result on Saturday.”

The competition was fierce, with just fractions of a second separating the podium. David O’Brien (IRL) and El Balou OLD (Eldorado Vd Zeshoek x Balou du Rouet) claimed second place in 40.15s, followed closely by Conor Swail (IRL) and My Lady Lavista (Mylord Carthago x Levisto) in 40.23s.

The Irish momentum didn’t stop there. On Friday, Conor Swail—currently ranked 15th in the world—captured another win in the CSI5* 1.50m Francis Family Cup. Riding the 9-year-old stallion Clonterm Obolensky (Cornet Obolensky x Lux Z), a new addition to his string since May 2025, Swail posted the fastest clear in the jump-off of nine, stopping the clock at 42.48s.

Darragh Kenny returned to the podium in second place with Mendoza VDL (Harley x Cardento 933) in 43.39s, while Australia’s Katie Laurie and Olyda vd Bisschop (Diamant de Semilly x Kashmir van Schuttershof) completed the top three in 49.51s.

With this dominant showing, Irish riders have firmly established themselves as the ones to watch at Spruce Meadows.

FULL RESULTS

Image: Darragh Kenny and Eddy Blue won Thursday's CSI5* 1.55m Recon Metal Cup at Spruce Meadows. Photo © Spruce Meadows Media/Bart Onyszko.