Biography

It is a first Badminton for young Irish rider Jennifer Kuehnle (23) and her ride Sammy Davis Junior. In 2024 the pair placed 8^th at Luhmuhlen 5* – a first 5* for the pair – and completed Pau 5* (27^th). Luhmuhlen proved an especially memorable 5* debut as she also completed with Polly Blue Eyes (7^th) a mare she has brought through the grades from pre novice to 5* and with who she won YR team silver in Sweden in 2021. Jennifer who is based at Tullibards Stud in Laois will be the youngest competitor in the field this year.

Jennifer also combines eventing with her first love of showjumping – she competes internationally. In 2015 she won Individual gold in jumping at the 2015 Children’s FEI European Championships in Wiener Neustadt and in 2022 represented Ireland at the world young horse jumping championships in Lanaken.

She has represented Ireland in Junior and Young Rider teams for eventing in 2022 winning Young Rider European team bronze (Sammy Davis Junior). The following year she made her senior debut at the Europeans in Le Pin au Haras and won ‘best newcomer’ award at Boekelo.

Jennifer comes from an equestrian family and background. Her father Hans Kuehnle runs the Tullibards Stud in Ireland. Siblings Jessica, Brian and the late Benny have all competed internationally.

Sammy Davis Junior is a 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse registered gelding. Bred by Amanda Vogan he is by Imperial Heights (a son of Master Imp) out of Cornasaus Connie by Condios. (Connie is also the dam of Liscarrow Fernhill – Kitty King, and Tom Jacksons ride Cooley Cornasus). Sammy was formerly produced and ridden by Cathal Daniels who competed him to 4* – Jennifer took over the ride in 2021. In 2022 the combination was a member of the Irish European Young Rider team placing 4^th and winning team bronze – Sammy also placed 4^th in the YR Europeans with Cathal Daniels in 2017. Cathal still owns the horse in partnership with Magaret Kinsella.