The 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare Lisona (Obos Quality x Porsch) will retire to owner Jessica Springsteen’s Stone Hill Farm in Colts Neck, New Jersey, USA after a top flight career under Springsteen and Irish rider Darragh Kerins. Lisona was bred in Ireland’s County Meath by Comdt. John Ledingham. Jessica Springsteen announced this on her Instagram page. Before American rider Springsteen purchased Lisona in March of 2013, Kerins, who co-owned the mare with Maarten Huygens (they in turn acquired Lisona from Kevin Babington) rode her to several high-profile international victories under the Irish flag in the 2012 FEI Nations Cups at CSIO Dublin and Hickstead. Springsteen then campaigned the mare over two successful seasons in Europe and the Eastern United States. Springsteen and Lisona memorably cleared 6’10” to win the 2014 Puissance at the Washington International Horse Show CSI4*, a victory that helped Springsteen earn the Leading International Rider title at the 2014 WIHS. Springsteen plans to give Lisona a second career as a broodmare, and hopes to one day ride the great mare’s progeny to similar successes at the top level of show jumping.
