Kelli Temple’s Kilkenny Passes Peacefully at Age 27

Kelli McMullen-Temple and Kilkenny. Photo courtesy of Kelli Temple/Christine Tchir. Kelli McMullen-Temple and Kilkenny. Photo courtesy of Kelli Temple/Christine Tchir.

The eventing world mourns the passing of Kelli Temple’s Olympic mount, the Irish Thoroughbred Kilkenny, today. The 27-year-old gelding passed away peacefully at home and is buried on Kelli’s farm after enjoying a long and healthy retirement.

Representing Canada, Kilkenny was the youngest horse, at 8, in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, where he and Kelli were fifth in team competition. Kelli and Kilkenny also were clear around the 1997 European Open Championships at Burghley and took home a top 15 placing at Blenheim in 2000. In 1999, Kelli won the Leading Owner/Rider at Rolex after completing the event with Kilkenny.

“He was a horse of a lifetime,” Kelli said. “I owe everything to Carl Bouckaert for investing in him and giving me the ride and Susie Pragnell for finding him. He will always be the ruler against which I measure my young horses.”

Rest peacefully, Kilkenny.