Lexington, Ky. – Aug. 5, 2018 – Daniel Kerins was on a mission to win when he entered the ring aboard Elwood 13 on Sunday morning to compete in the WIHS/NAL Children’s Jumper Classic. The pair completed the first round course with no faults, and Kerins visibly became more focused, knowing that he would need a fast jump-off to take his place atop the leaderboard. Kerins piloted the grey gelding through several tight turns and stopped the clock in 30.122 seconds, a time that proved unbeatable and allowed the young man to take home the blue ribbon as well as co-ownership of the entire division. Throughout the week, Kerins and Elwood 13 and Layla Kurbanov on Wamira both consistently accrued top results to share the division championship.
Although Kerins is only 12 years old, he is no stranger to success in the jumper arena. On Elwood 13, an 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Brian Courance, the young athlete has earned several important wins including the $1,000 Ocala Welcome Children’s Classic in February of this year, the 1.10m jumper’s during the fourth week of the Tryon Summer Series and the Junior Classic last week during the Kentucky Summer Horse Show.
Kerins comes by his talents in the show ring naturally. Born into a family of equestrians, Kerins father Darragh is a prominent Irish grand prix rider who relocated to the United States and is now based in Wellington, Florida. He has represented Ireland in two European Championships and the 2009 FEI World Cup™ Finals in Nevada, as well as in many Nations Cup competitions. Sarah Kerins, Daniel’s mother, is also a very competitive adult rider who earlier in the week won the Low Amateur Jumpers in the Rolex Stadium.
Emily Aitken and Zabelle S were the runners-up in Sunday’s WIHS/NAL Children’s Jumper Classic with a competitive jump-off time of 30.170 seconds. Aubade Va and Sarah Steadman rounded out the top three spots with a double clear effort and speedy jump-off time of 30.233 seconds.
In the WISH/NAL Adult Jumper Classic, it was Caroline Donnally and her own Reve Du Razzy who took home the blue ribbon with a double clear effort and a short course time of 30.233 seconds. Donnally has been partnered with the 13-year-old Selle Francais gelding for two years and was thrilled with his performance, as it marks his return to competition after an injury and illness. Vicki Lowell rode Phineas to the second place honors with a double clear effort and jump-off time of 30.733 seconds, followed by Megan Davis and Dean in third position, clocking a time of 31.551 seconds after their double clear ride.
The Children’s and Adult WISH/NAL Jumper Classics concluded competition in Rolex Stadium for the Kentucky Summer Classic. Next week, the ponies will rule the Kentucky Horse Park as the 2018 USEF Pony Finals begins Tuesday.
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FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Daniel Kerins – WIHS/NAL Children’s Jumper Classic winner
On Elwood 13:
“I got him during WEF [Winter Equestrian Festival] and we have done really well in almost every class that we have gone in since then. Last week we won our first junior classic, and I have just loved him. I love how he has a big stride and helps me in the jump off. He has really big legs – everyone always teases me about his legs – but they really help him go fast.”
On riding with his family:
“I have been riding since I was three and I think it’s great that I get to ride with my mom and dad.”
On the rest of his plans for the summer:
“I am looking forward to going to Dublin and jumping with my cousins in the Dublin Horse Show and Mullingar Horse Show before I go back to school.”
Caroline Donnally – WIHS/NAL Adult Jumper Classic winner
On Razzy Du Reve:
“He is the best horse in the whole world. A friend of mine had him and thought his career was finished, but I took him out of a field and started working with him. He was very unpredictable in the beginning but he has gotten predictable with me and, even though there were a lot of ups and downs, we are finally in a good place and I just adore him.”
On her ride in the classic:
“I got lucky honestly. I was very deep in some places and by the grace of God he was able to help me out and it worked out in the end.”
On riding in Kentucky:
“I really like the ambience of being here. There is grass where they can graze, and the weather is beautiful. There is great competition here, as well – you ride against people who really challenge you to do your best.”
RESULTS
WIHS/NAL Children’s Jumper Classic 1.10m
Place / Horse / Rider / R1 Faults | Time / R2 Faults | Time
1. Elwood 13 / Daniel Kerins / 0 | 67.303 / 0 | 30.122
2. Zabelle S / Emily Aitken / 0 | 69.767 / 0 | 30.170
3. Aubade Va / Sarah Steadman / 0 | 70.033 / 0 | 30.233
4. Himalayan Oolong / Adelaide Arthur / 0 | 72.941 / 0 | 30.415
5. Casanova B / Graciela Robert / 0 | 72.250 / 0 | 31.162
6. Russell / Erin Floyd / 0 | 69.680 / 0 | 31.334
7. Available Ohio / Eliza Kimball / 0 | 74.400 / 0 | 31.970
8. FVF Sailorman / James Faloni / 0 | 74.950 / 0 | 32.295
9. Wanda / Luke Jensen / 0 | 72.162 / 0 | 32.855
10. Damon / Cleopatra Georgiades / 0 | 73.273 / 0 | 34.554
11. Flora D’ Houtveld Z / Isabela De Sousa / 0 | 70.656 / 0 | 36.020
12. Via Dolorosa / Abigail Beaty / 0 | 69.268 / 4 | 31.466
WIHS/NAL Adult Jumper Classic 1.10m
Place / Horse / Rider / R1 Faults | Time / R2 Faults | Time
1. Razzy Du Revel / Caroline Donnally / 0 | 63.177 / 0 / 30.233
2. Phineas / Vicki Lowell / 0 | 70.662 / 0 | 30.717
3. Deen / Megan Davis / 0 | 73.639 / 0 | 31.551
4. Gold Lux / Molly Athley / 0 | 68.469 / 0 | 32.700
5. Quintana VIII / Sophie Hoffman / 0 | 68.006 / 0 | 32.799
6. Royal Blue / Libby Wehling / 0 | 71.007 / 0 | 33.322
7. Cannabis 10 / Amanda Blumenfeld / 0 | 71.384 / 0 | 35.784
8. Emmerson / Shawna Stout / 0 | 73.480 / 0 | 41.164
9. Lola / Elizabeth Eaton / 0 | 71.584 / 4 | 30.156
10. Quick Girl / Samantha Hill / 0 | 72.417 / 4 | 32.693
11. Miss Douglas / Sarah Vossers / 0 | 73.794 / 4 | 33.755
12. Herault / Elizabeth Eaton / 0 | 73.470 / 4 | 43.018