Text © World of Showjumping

Seamus Hughes Kennedy’s 10-year-old gelding ESI Rocky (Stakkato Gold x For Pleasure, bred by Ennisnag Stud) has been sold. The new rider will be Anastasia Nielsen. 

With Ireland’s Seamus Hughes Kennedy, 23, ESI Rocky has impressed this summer with significant debut performances on five-star level. Seamus has produced Rocky since the talented gelding was five, all the way up to the very top.

In 2023, Seamus and Rocky made history at the FEI Jumping European Championships for young riders, juniors and children in Gorla Minore, Italy, when winning the individual gold for young riders; Ireland’s first ever of its kind in that age category. The two also claimed team gold at the same event. 

This summer, the two were part of the winning Irish team in the CSIO5* 1.60m Barriére Nations Cup in La Baule (FRA) where they jumped a double clear round, after placing fourth in their first five-star Grand Prix in the CSIO5* 1.60m Rolex Grand Prix of Rome (ITA) a week prior. They were also part of the Irish team in the CSIO5* Longines League of Nations™️ in Rotterdam (NED).

The pair’s performances resulted in selection for this year’s Longines FEI Jumping European Championship in A Coruña, Spain, where they only picked up a single time penalty over the five rounds of competition to finish fifth in their senior championship debut.

In their last international appearance together, at Dublin Horse Show, Seamus and ESI Rocky jumped double clear in the CSIO5* Nations Cup of Ireland.

“Anastasia has been a long-term admirer of Rocky, since he won the young rider gold medals with Seamus in Gorla Minore in 2023,” the Nielsen-family shared. “She was aware that the Hughes-family wanted to hold onto Rocky until after Dublin Horse Show to give Seamus the chance to represent Ireland in the Aga Khan Trophy.” 

“It has been an incredible journey with Rocky,” Seamus told World of Showjumping as the sale was announced. “Throughout our time together, I’ve had to grow not only as a rider but also as a person in order to showcase the level this horse was bound to reach. Now, my hope is that Rocky can help another young rider realise the dreams of success at the highest levels of the sport.”