Kenneth Graham wins €10,000 Horse Sport Ireland International Show Jumping Challenge Bonus following Cavan International

Donegal’s Kenneth Graham has claimed the 2019 Horse Sport Ireland International Show Jumping Challenge Bonus of €10,000, after he took victory in the Cavan International Grand Prix with the Irish Sport Horse mare Beir Bua.

Kenneth Graham receives the HSI International Show Jumping Challenge Bonus of €10,000 from Alyssa O’Neill from Horse Sport Ireland following victory in the Cavan International Grand Prix (Photo: Laurence Dunne/Jumpinaction.net)

Having scored podium finishes at Mullingar International and at Millstreet International Horse Show earlier in the year, Graham arrived in Cavan as the only rider who could take the 2019 bonus – if he could secure another podium finish. He did so in style, taking victory in the Cavan Grand Prix to collect the €10,000 Bonus, while his groom was also awarded the additional HSI Bonus prize of €1,000.

Graham was thrilled with the result and outlined the importance of the HSI sponsored initiative to all riders:

“I was delighted to win today with Beir Bua. I thought the challenge was great and really exciting,” he said. “My other horse George had two good results earlier on in the year in Mullingar and Millstreet to help with my success in the challenge. The bonus is a great incentive, it is something to keep riders in the country and keep them jumping and we are very grateful to Horse Sport Ireland for that.”

The Horse Sport Ireland Eventing and Horse Sport Ireland Jumping Challenge, is a link of Irish international events and is sponsored by the Irish National Federation, Horse Sport Ireland. In 2018, the inaugural HSI Bonus Challenge in Eventing was claimed by Australia’s Kevin McNabb and he repeated his victory this year to once again take home the €10,000 bonus.

To be eligible for the €10,000 Prize Bonus, riders must achieve a podium finish in three separate classes in International Show Jumping competitions in Ireland, and only a rider’s three highest placings can be counted. All riders are able to compete for the Bonus, regardless of nationality.

BREEDING

Beir Bua (ISH) – 2010 mare by Lancelot (KWPN) out of Rincoola Bua (ISH)[TIH] by Cruising (ISH)[TIH]. Breeder: Harold McGahern, Co. Longford.