Colibelle Hero Z Carries Darragh Kenny to Victory in the $30,000 Traverse City Grand Prix

By Jumper News on 2025-07-29

Traverse City, United States – July 27, 2025 – Ireland’s Darragh Kenny (IRL) closed out the fourth week of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF), presented by B&D Builders, aboard Collibelle Hero Z on Sunday with a win in the $30,000 Traverse City National Grand Prix.

Riding for owner and his Oakland Stables student Elena Haas, Kenny was one of only four double-clear efforts in a competitive jump-off field of 18. In the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring, Nick Granat (USA) designed the two-round grand prix track for 47 original contenders.

Colibelle Hero Z crossed the final timers in 38.083 seconds to bring home the win for Oakland, based out of Wellington FL, and Darien, Connecticut, United States.

Martien van der Hoeven (USA) of Pinehurst, Texas, United States piloted Chance Encounter to the runner-up position in 41.206 seconds.

Rounding out the top three, Morgan Parasher (USA) of Houston, TX, and Chess stopped the clock at 41.263 seconds for a podium finish.

Kenny is focused on preparing Colibelle Hero Z, a 10-year-old Zangersheide mare (Comme Il Faut 5 X Rubens Du Ry d’Asse) for Haas. The 22-year-old rider has already stepped the mount into international competition with big plans ahead.

**Darragh Kenny** (IRL) & **Colibelle Hero Z**

“She’s a really exceptional horse,” said Kenny, a 2024 Olympian for Ireland and currently ranked no. 17 in the world. “She’s one that is going to be able to jump at the highest level with Elena. We are really looking forward to the future with her, what she and Elena can do together.”

The 11th season of GLEF now moves into its fifth week at Flintfields Horse Park, highlighted by the coveted FEI North American Youth Championships for dressage and show jumping, which runs through August 3.

Final Results – $30,000 Traverse City National Grand Prix

1) Darragh Kenny (IRL) & Collibelle Hero Z – 0 / 0 – 38.083

2) Martien van der Hoeven (USA) & Chance Encounter – 0 / 0 – 41.206

3) Morgan Parasher (USA) & Chess – 0 / 0 – 41.263

FULL RESULTS

Source: Press Release from Traverse City Horse Shows