A young show jumping prodigy has achieved her most prestigious victory. Tabitha Kyle, an 18-year-old Irish rider, dominated the Grand Prix at the CSIO 3*-W in Budapest over a course set at 1.55m. Riding Desterly, a KWPN gelding, the pair achieved a double clear round before winning the jump-off in 37.11 seconds, surpassing 59 other competitors.
This triumph comes after a period of strong progress. Just a month ago, Kyle and Desterly came close to a major achievement in Eindhoven, finishing second in the 3* Grand Prix. In Budapest, their victory takes on a particularly prestigious character: they beat Max Kühner, the recent winner of the 5* Paris Eiffel Jumping. The Austrian, riding Kurt D, finished nearly two seconds behind the young Irish rider.
Ukrainian rider René Tebbel completed the podium with Paulus-L. Ireland confirmed its dominance on the EEF circuit, following Germany's Nations Cup victory at the same Hungarian event. Kyle and Desterly's performances promise a bright future in international show jumping.