Kilkenny (horse)
Encyclopedia
Kilkenny was a horse that competed in the sport of eventing
.
and in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. In 1965, he turned briefly to show jumping
, becoming a member of the Irish Show Jumping Team and competing at the Rotterdam CSI, jumping 6'7" in a puissance
class. He was ridden again in the 1966 Badminton Horse Trials, and then at the 1966 Eventing World Championship
at Burghley
, where he won team gold.
Kilkenny was bred in Kilkenny, Ireland by William Dempsey Ballyhale.
Wofford saw the horse running at the World Championships and was impressed by his bravery. His mother purchased Kilkenny that winter, and gave Wofford the ride.
Under Wofford, Kilkenny continued to have great success, first winning the 1967 USET Nationals, before earning the team gold at the Pan-American Games and finishing 4th individually. In 1968, the pair competed at Badminton for a third time, placing 13th. A few months later they finished 8th at the Canadian Championships, before shipping off to the 1968 Olympics.
The Olympics was a success, earning a team silver medal for the Americans. However, a broken caulk in the show jumping resulted in a fall, and disappointedly dropped the pair from second individually down to sixth.
The pair continued finishing well, placing 3rd at the 1969 USET Championships, and winning the bronze medal at the 1970 World Championships in Puncheston. In 1971, Kilkenny finished third at the Canadian Chanmpionships, and finished his competitive career at the 1972 Olympic Games, with a team silver medal.
Following his third Olympics, Kilkenny was retired at Ledyard, and carried Wofford out fox hunting
for 6 years.
Eventing
Eventing is an equestrian event comprising dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. This event has its roots in a comprehensive cavalry test requiring mastery of several types of riding...
.
- Born: 1957 in IrelandIrelandIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
- Stable name: Henry
- Height: 17.0 hhHand (unit)The hand is a non-SI unit of measurement of length, now used only for the measurement of the height of horses in some English-speaking countries, including Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA. With origins in ancient Egypt, it was originally based on the breadth of a human hand...
(173 cm) - Markings: Small star
- Riders: Tommy Brennan, Jimmy Wofford
Competitive career
Kilkenny was first ridden by Irish rider Tommy Brennan, with whom he competed at the 1964 Badminton Horse TrialsBadminton Horse Trials
The Badminton Horse Trials is a three-day event, one of only six annual Concours Complet International Four Star **** events as classified by the Fédération Équestre Internationale , which takes place in April or May each year in the park of Badminton House, the seat of the Dukes of Beaufort in...
and in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. In 1965, he turned briefly to show jumping
Show jumping
Show jumping, also known as "stadium jumping," "open jumping," or "jumpers," is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes commonly are seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics...
, becoming a member of the Irish Show Jumping Team and competing at the Rotterdam CSI, jumping 6'7" in a puissance
Puissance
Puissance is the high-jump competition in the equestrian sport of show jumping.The competition involves a maximum of five rounds - opening round followed by four jump-offs not against the clock. The first round consists of four to six large single obstacles including the puissance wall, the...
class. He was ridden again in the 1966 Badminton Horse Trials, and then at the 1966 Eventing World Championship
Eventing World Championship
The Eventing World Championship, or the eventing competition in the World Equestrian Games , began in 1966. It includes both a team and individual competition for the best horses and riders in the sport of eventing...
at Burghley
Burghley
Burghley may refer to:*William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley , chief minister of queen Elizabeth I of England*Burghley House, a sixteenth century country house in Lincolnshire, built for the above...
, where he won team gold.
Kilkenny was bred in Kilkenny, Ireland by William Dempsey Ballyhale.
Wofford saw the horse running at the World Championships and was impressed by his bravery. His mother purchased Kilkenny that winter, and gave Wofford the ride.
Under Wofford, Kilkenny continued to have great success, first winning the 1967 USET Nationals, before earning the team gold at the Pan-American Games and finishing 4th individually. In 1968, the pair competed at Badminton for a third time, placing 13th. A few months later they finished 8th at the Canadian Championships, before shipping off to the 1968 Olympics.
The Olympics was a success, earning a team silver medal for the Americans. However, a broken caulk in the show jumping resulted in a fall, and disappointedly dropped the pair from second individually down to sixth.
The pair continued finishing well, placing 3rd at the 1969 USET Championships, and winning the bronze medal at the 1970 World Championships in Puncheston. In 1971, Kilkenny finished third at the Canadian Chanmpionships, and finished his competitive career at the 1972 Olympic Games, with a team silver medal.
Following his third Olympics, Kilkenny was retired at Ledyard, and carried Wofford out fox hunting
Fox hunting
Fox hunting is an activity involving the tracking, chase, and sometimes killing of a fox, traditionally a red fox, by trained foxhounds or other scent hounds, and a group of followers led by a master of foxhounds, who follow the hounds on foot or on horseback.Fox hunting originated in its current...
for 6 years.
Accomplishments
- One of only three horses (including The GrasshopperThe Grasshopper (horse)The Grasshopper was a horse that competed in the sport of eventing, and is most notable for being one of only five horses to have competed in six or more CCIOs.*Foaled: ~1945*Place of Birth: County Wicklow, Ireland*Sex: Gelding...
and Paket) to compete in three Olympics - Winner of 2 team gold medals, 2 team silver medals, 1 individual bronze, and a National Championship
- Competed in 4 CCIConcours Complet InternationalThe Concours Complet International and the Concours International Combiné are ratings for the equestrian sport of eventing, given by the international governing body for the sport, the FEI....
***s and an amazing 9 CCI****s - One of only five eventEventingEventing is an equestrian event comprising dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. This event has its roots in a comprehensive cavalry test requiring mastery of several types of riding...
horses to have competed in six or more CCIOsConcours Complet InternationalThe Concours Complet International and the Concours International Combiné are ratings for the equestrian sport of eventing, given by the international governing body for the sport, the FEI....
(International Team Competitions), in addition to The GrasshopperThe Grasshopper (horse)The Grasshopper was a horse that competed in the sport of eventing, and is most notable for being one of only five horses to have competed in six or more CCIOs.*Foaled: ~1945*Place of Birth: County Wicklow, Ireland*Sex: Gelding...
, The Poacher, Random Light, and PricelessPriceless (horse)Priceless was a horse ridden by British rider Virginia Leng. She competed the gelding in the sport of eventing. Priceless won four team gold medals for Britain, as well as the Badminton Horse Trials and Burghley Horse Trials.*Color: Bay...
. - At 3 of the CCIO****s, he finished with the fastest cross-country time (including the 1968 Olympics, where he finished an amazing 30 seconds ahead of the second-fastest)
- Completed every CCI he every started