Kuehnle wins Dragonhold Scholarship

Ponies and young riders

Frank Mulvihill

Benedict Kuehnle from Coolrain Co Laois scored the highest marks at this year's Golden Saddle Finals and was awarded the traditonal Dragonhold scholarship for his efforts.

The award, sponsored by Dragonhold Books since 1984, is given to the highest placed rider between 14 and 16 years of age.

Twenty-three young riders from show jumping and eventing disciplines made it through to the finals following assessment days at various centres throughout Ireland. Following a morning of testing on flatwork, jumping, theory, and potential, eight riders made it through to the afternoon session where judges assessed candidates specialist discipline and took another look at the potential of each rider.

Eventually the judges decided not to allocate a Golden Saddle award, but three riders, Benedict Kuehnle (Show jumping), Shane Quinn ( Show jumping) and Paddy O'Donnell (Show jumping)) did receive silver awards.

Bronze awards went to Paul Morkan (Eventing), Sarah Ponsonby (Eventing), Caragh Kennedy (Eventing), Anna Calder (Eventing) and Robert Glynn (Eventing).

The result will go some way towards easing Kuehnle's disappointment of having to retire three obstacles from home at this year's European Pony Eventing Championships.

The promising young rider was commended later by vets when it was revealed that his pony Yogi Bear had a dangerously high temperature and could have died had the rider not been so prudent.

The fact that a Golden Saddle award was not offered at this year's assessment is testimony to the high standard of the scheme but feedback from the judges can often mean that riders improve their grade on returning the following year.

Among previous recipients of the award are Francis Connors, Paul Duffy, Tom Moloney, Neal Fearon, Susan Shortt and Edward Doyle. 2003 is the second year in succession where a Golden award was not made.