JESSICA SPRINGSTEEN, THE 22-year-old daughter of Bruce Springsteen, has bought Irish horse Lisona, it was announced today.

The horse, bred in County Meath by former Irish Army rider Comdt John Ledingham, has competed in several successes for the Irish team, including in the Nations’ Cups at both Hickstead and Dublin in 2012.

Its original owner, Darragh Kerins, described how selling the horse for an undisclosed sum was a tough decision.

“It was a very hard decision for (co-owner) Maarten Huygens and I to make, as Lisona achieved so many great wins for us and Team Ireland. She is a great mare and will be very sadly missed in my barn. I wish her new owner, Jessica Springsteen, the very best of luck with her.”

In addition, Horse Sport Ireland Chairman Pat Wall added:

“It’s great to see an Irish horse sold for mega money, and with a high profile rider like Jessica Springsteen the horse will remain in the limelight, flying the flag for Irish breeders.

“Darragh Kerins is to be complimented for producing the horse to this level and successfully campaigning him on the world stage, and it is quite likely that he will repeat the process when the next suitable Irish Sport Horse becomes available.

“What John Ledingham has achieved, breeding an animal of this calibre, demonstrates what we are capable of in Ireland and all breeders must take heart from this successful outcome.”

Springsteen is widely regarded as one of America’s top show jumpers, and previously made headlines after she bought Olympic showjumping champion Murka’s Vindicat last September.

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