TWELVE-year-old Daniel Kerins won the WIHS/NAL Children’s Jumper Classic at the Kentucky Summer Classic in the USA. Riding Elwood 13, Kerins 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 recorded top results to share the division championship. The son of Sligo international show jumper Darragh Kerins, Daniel is no stranger to success.

On Elwood 13, an 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Brian Courance, the young athlete has earned several wins including the $1,000 Ocala Welcome Children’s Classic in February of this year and the Junior Classic last week during the Kentucky Summer Horse Show.

Speaking afterwards, Kerins said: “I got him during WEF 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.”

That was his last win before leaving for Ireland and he is at the Dublin Horse Show this week. “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.”