Aidan Kennedy and Highlight Van Molga Wrap Up Fieldstone’s First Week with $20,000 1.30m Grand Prix Victory

rsherer44
Jun 15
2 min read

Halifx, MA - June 15, 2025 - Aidan Kennedy closed out a stellar week at Fieldstone Show Park with a win in Sunday’s featured $20,000 1.30m Grand Prix, sponsored by CWD. Piloting Highlight Van Molga, Kennedy posted the fastest double-clear time of 38.448 seconds to take the top honors. Just fractions behind, Amber Viera and Gabbani 3 secured second with a time of 38.753 seconds, also double clear. Rounding out the top three was Ellie Ferrigno aboard Rayon D’or Van De Padenborre, who had a fast time of 33.706 but collected four faults.

“I knew my horse had a big stride, so I really just tried to keep rolling everywhere I could,” Kennedy said. “In the jump-off, there was a line where Amber did seven strides and I landed and did six. That was the difference.”

The Grand Prix track tested riders’ ability to navigate forward bending lines and sharp rollbacks. The first round opened with a single oxer, followed by a centerline vertical that allowed a change of direction into a bending line. A diagonal line followed, before riders finished the course on two flowing bending lines. In the shortened jump-off, riders returned to tackle a bending line to open, rolled back to a single, then negotiated a combination and one last bending effort to the final oxer.

“The track rode comfortably, but it wasn’t easy,” Kennedy added. “There were a few oxers that came up quick off the turn, so I made sure I was balanced. Highlight is such a naturally careful horse, I could just trust him to be there for me.”

Highlight Van Molga, a longtime partner for Kennedy, had just returned to the show ring after a six-month break and made his presence known by winning both the $5,000 Open Welcome and the Grand Prix this week. “He felt great. I’ve had him for years and just slipped right back into it. It’s a great feeling,” Kennedy said.

As Week I of the June Series wrapped up, Kennedy reflected positively on both his horses and the event. “I had three horses in the Grand Prix and I’m hoping to have them all again next week,” he said. “The show ran really smoothly. I was out of there by lunchtime, everything was efficient, and the horses all feel super. It’s something to really look forward to heading into next week.”

Thank you to all who made this week a great show! Look forward to another week of top competition at Fieldstone Show Park for the second week of FSP June Series.