Photo: Daniel Kerins and Elwood 13.
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 jumpers 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.
Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
