merrion street

Helen Kearney is celebrating her third medal win this evening following an inspired performance on her horse 'Mister Cool' at the Paralympic Individual Freestyle Test, Grade 1a, where she won bronze. Helen had already secured a silver medal last Sunday in the Individual Championship Test Grade 1a competition and a bronze in the Team event.

Minister Varadkar said this evening: "This is a marvellous achievement for Helen and I applaud her. Helen has already enjoyed a string of equestrian success – most notably winning Ireland’s first ever Para-Equestrian medal, securing bronze in the Individual Test at the European Championships in Belgium last year."

Minister Michael Ring said: "This is another fantastic achievement in what has been a stellar few days for Team Ireland. Helen demonstrated her determination to succeed ever since she began horse riding at age 10; just a few years later she went on to make an impressive start in her debut tournament at CPEDI1 in England, winning first and third place ribbons in the Novice Test and impressively earning the accolade of ‘Best International Rider’.

Minister Ring added: "Moreover, Helen is also part of a strong Irish Team which won gold in the CPEDI international tournament in Deauville, France (2011 & 2012) and secured a first-ever team qualification for the Paralympic Games. Helen has become a huge source of pride and inspiration to her community in Dunlavin, Co Wicklow, her country and other young people; many of whom will now be more enthused than ever to participate in sport."