ONE of America’s brightest young show jumping talents, Christina Kelly, has taken up a position riding in Ireland for respected breeder and owner Lady Forbes of Castle Forbes Stud, Co Longford.

Christina – the daughter of Navan native Sean and Barbara – arrived in Ireland earlier this month to take up her new role.

Her parents own and operate Diamond Edge Farm, a sport horse farm in Nicholasville, Kentucky.

Christina, who has trained with veteran American Olympic show jumper Margie Engie, was one of America’s best junior riders, regularly winning in the Kentucky Summer Classic series and also dominated the junior ranks of the Winter Equestrian Festival in 2012.

However, Christina (22) is no stranger to Ireland, having been based with Cian O’Connor’s yard for six months here three years ago.

“I’m in Ireland just now, I’m based in Castle Forbes Stud. I’m settling down well and getting used to it. It is a really nice environment to work in, fantastic facilities, great horses and lovely people to work with,” Christina told The Irish Field.

The young rider intends to eventually establish her own business here.

“Our plan is that I will have my own business here and go back and forth to America with sales horses. So I think this move is a good step. It’s great to get the experience with Lady Forbes and to see the Irish circuit and get to know all the people. I’m hoping I can still ride for Lady Forbes in the future,’’ said Christina.

Her mother Barbara will shortly be arriving for the upcoming Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show.

“My parents are very supportive and happy for me to be in Ireland riding for Lady Forbes. I’m not riding at Dublin myself so it will be a chance to enjoy the RDS and I’m also hoping to see some other European shows along the way,” said Christina who won a 1.30m class at Cavan last weekend.

Also riding Castle Forbes Stud horses is Kildare talent, Nicola FitzGibbon, so Lady Forbes - a breeder of top show jumpers, most notably multiple international Grand Prix winner Castle Forbes Libertina – has now engaged two of the most up and coming young female riders on the circuit to compete her horses.