Kerins second in Florida

Sligo show jumper Darragh Kerins was delighted with his second place in Saturday night’s $125,000 World Cup contest in Florida, considering the mare Lisona returned to action just three weeks ago after a year-and-a-half layoff.

So, the US-based rider was happy to reproduce his first-round clear when last to go in the 11-horse jump-off, having watched US rider Marie Engle and Indigo produce the only other fault-free performance, which ultimately saw her win by almost three seconds.

Kerins is gearing up for the March 2 nations cup with the OBOS Quality-sired 11-year-old Lisona, which he jointly owns with fellow Irish rider Kevin Babington and was bred by Comdt John Ledingham in Co Meath.

“Normally I wouldn’t have jumped that fast, but the nation’s cup is coming up in a couple weeks and I figured I had to get her going to warrant a place on the team. It worked out great, she’s great. She doesn’t have much mileage, this is probably the biggest class she’s ever jumped”.