Untimely death of Benny Kuehnle

Horse Sport Ireland has reported the untimely death of 20 year-old Irish international Show Jumper Benny Kuehnle, at Cavan.

“Kuehnle was one of the most promising show jumping riders of his generation. He was part of Ireland's Young Rider team that competed at this year's European championships in Prague, where he led the team to sixth place and finished in an outstanding 11th place in the individual competition from 65 of Europe's top young riders,” HSI said.

“As a senior rider he was really making his mark on the National Circuit and had been competing internationally. Only last month he was victorious at

the Northern Ireland International Horse Show in Belfast riding Looping Star.”

In recent times Benny had been based with Edward Doyle.

Ireland's Young Rider Chef d'Equipe Comdt John Ledingham said that Benny was one of the most gifted young riders 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 in the sport are feeling at this news.”