Tributes to rising star of show jumping

TRIBUTES were paid yesterday to show jumper Benny Kuehnle, 20, following his untimely death.

The Portlaoise rider was a rising star of the sport and led the Irish team to sixth place at this year’s European Young Rider Championships in Prague, where he finished 11th of 65 riders.

His death, which occurred at Cavan International Horse Show, has stunned the equestrian community. Ireland’s Young Rider Chef d’Equipe Comdt John Ledingham described him as one of the most gifted in Europe.

“Benny was prodigiously talented. His performance at this year’s European championships was outstanding and, while he finished 11th, he was very unlucky not to finish even higher up the ranks. Words cannot express the shock all of us ... are feeling at this news.”

Minister for Sport Martin Cullen said Benny’s death at such a very young age is a great loss. “I extend my deepest sympathy to his family and his many friends within the equestrian community at this sad time.”

Senior international rider Edward Doyle, with whom Benny had been based in Naas since July of last year, said: “He was one of the best, if not the best, young riders in the country.

He was making his mark on the senior circuit and held such promise... he was a great fellow, a real cheery fellow and I will miss him terribly,” said Mr Doyle.

Kuehnle gave another demonstration of his horsemanship at Mullingar in August when winning the €10,000 Tiffen Developments Young Rider Final, one of Europe’s richest contests for young riders.

He was also making his mark against Ireland’s top senior riders. Last month he was victorious at the Northern Ireland International Horse Show in Belfast riding Looping Star.

He won his first grand prix in the Premier Series, the leading league on the domestic circuit, at Blessington in July, riding CS Brigade, jointly owned by himself and Mr Doyle.

It is believed his family wished for the show to go ahead as scheduled.