Tag Archives: Daniel Coyle

Competitions, Show Jumping, Tryon

Coyle Wins His First FEI Class with CHS Krooze in Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3*

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Daniel Coyle and CHS Krooze ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – October 10, 2019 – Daniel Coyle (IRL) and CHS Krooze flew to the $36,000 Horseware Ireland Welcome Stake CSI 3* win at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) at Tryon Resort, stopping the jump-off timers in a time of 33.448 seconds. Three seconds behind in second place, Kristen VanderVeen (USA) piloted Bull Run’s Almighty, a 2009 Hannoverian gelding (Caspar x Quidam De Revel) owned by Bull Run Jumpers Six LLC, to a 36.552-second jump-off performance, while Rachel Cornacchia (CAN) and Eventyre Farms Ltd’s Valkyrie de Talma, a 2009 Selle Francais mare (Diamant De Semilly x Cento), claimed third with a time of 36.568 seconds over the short course.

A field of 76 entries competing over the Michel Vaillancourt (CAN) course design and 21 pairs qualifying for the jump-off made for stiff competition, causing six pairs to withdraw in advance of the second round. Coyle’s strategy was to go as fast as possible as the first rider to test the short course with his own 2010 Irish Sport Horse mare (Kroongraaf x Cruise Oak):

“There were still a good few clears for the jump-off, and I was first. So, I had to be as fast as possible. Luckily, that horse is incredibly fast! I think sometimes it’s better to go first in a jump-off, because you just stick to your plan and everybody else has to try and beat you,” Coyle posited. “Sometimes it works out better!”

Tryon Fall 4 is Coyle’s first experience as a competitor at TIEC, and dominated his first FEI class at the venue by more than three seconds. Similarly, Coyle is testing the waters with his nine-year-old emerging star, as well as her abilities, he said.

“She’s been incredibly competitive all year anyway. In the beginning of the year, I didn’t know what was her class, or where she belonged, so to speak, but every time I ask her to jump a little bigger, and ask a little more, she keeps giving it to me,” he shared. “I’m going to keep going with her until the time that she says, ‘okay, maybe this is too much for me!’ But right now, I haven’t felt that yet.

“She’s still only nine, and winning 1.50m classes, so I have to be careful and make sure that I don’t ask her too much too soon,” Coyle emphasized. With this in mind, Coyle explained that he is selecting Farrel, the 2010 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Cardento 933 x Becherry) owned by Ariel Grange, to challenge Saturday’s $134,000 Gary Sinise Foundation Jump for Our Heroes Grand Prix CSI 3* presented by Lowe’s. He’ll save CHS Krooze for another 2* week or another venue entirely.

A lengthy entry list meant that CHS Krooze got to take an hour break in her stall between rounds, Coyle relayed, which helped to keep her mentally and physically fresh:

“I sent her back to the barn and she got to cool down and take an hour in the stall. I had Farrel to jump in the meantime. Everything worked out great that I got to keep going and keep myself active by jumping another horse, and then by that point it was time to get going for the jump-off.

“I think it’s always better for the horse to be able to have an hour off and come back between rounds, especially at a show such as this where everything is convenient,” Coyle noted. “Why not give the horse an hour break? Okay, adrenaline keeps them going at the time [if there’s no break], but it always makes it easier if they can have a little down time away from everything, and it freshens them up a little bit for the second round.

“This is my first time here, so it’s cool to win the first FEI class here,” concluded Coyle. “We are staying in a log cabin here onsite, and that’s really convenient and handy. We have lots of horses here, so it’s better if you’re closer.”

Leslie Burr-Howard and Donna Speciale Claim $5,000 Power & Speed Stake CSI 3*

Leslie Burr-Howard (USA) and Donna Speciale sped to win Wednesday’s $5,000 Power & Speed Stake CSI 3* during Tryon Fall 4 at TIEC with a double clear and a speed phase time of 33.617 seconds. Second place was awarded to David O’Brien (IRL) aboard Kir Royal SCF, a 2010 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Amaretto D’Arco x Nabab de Reve) owned by Spy Coast Farm, LLC, with a double-clear effort and a speed phase time of 34.061 seconds, while Lauren Hester (USA) earned third-place honors on Hester Equestrian’s Cooper 166, a 2010 Holsteiner gelding (Cancara x Unknown), with a speed phase time of 36.397 seconds.

Howard and the 2008 Dutch Warmblood mare (Cavalier x Concorde) owned by Laure Sudreau-Rippe and Peter competed against 54 other horse-and-rider pairs over the Michel Vaillancourt-set course, but Howard admitted that her plan was simply “just to let her [Donna Speciale] go at her own pace today.” She continued, “Donna is a very fast horse; she’s won, I think, four Grands Prix this year. She’s naturally fast over the ground, so it worked out.”

To learn more, visit www.Tryon.com.

*Featured/Spotlights, Show Jumping

Daniel Coyle Poised to Win First Caledon Cup

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Daniel Coyle riding CHS Krooze. Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography.

Caledon, Ontario — It was a case of history repeating itself as Ireland’s Daniel Coyle won the $36,500 CSI2* Caledon Cup – Phase 2, presented by HEP, Aviva Insurance, and Edge Mutual Insurance, for the second year in a row on Friday night, September 20, at the CSI2* Canadian Show Jumping Tournament held at the Caledon Equestrian Park in Caledon, ON.

Riding CHS Krooze, Coyle topped a starting field of 25 entries, including seven jump-off contenders, for Friday night’s win.  Having jumped the $36,500 CSI2* Caledon Cup – Phase One, presented by RAM Equestrian, a speed round held outdoors on Thursday, competitors moved indoors for the second phase of the Caledon Cup.  Riding in reverse order of placing from Thursday, Coyle had the advantage of being the penultimate rider on Friday night and, ultimately, the final jump-off challenger over courses set by course designer Catsy Cruz of Mexico.

“It is always an advantage to be at the end of the class; I got to see the first two go in the jump-off and see where I could be a little faster,” said Coyle, 24.  “I knew I had a good chance; I just had to not over-cook it.  I heard Amy’s time and knew it was fast, so I had to open her up a bit but still leave the jumps up.”

Coyle’s clear jump-off performance in a time of 36.56 seconds easily gave him the win over Canadian Olympian Amy Millar of Perth, ON, who had stopped the clock in 39.88 seconds riding Ericson, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion owned by Millar Brooke Farm Ltd. and Partners.  Mark Kinsella, also of Ireland, took third place after jumping clear in a time of 41.21 seconds aboard Stern Dei Folletti, an eight-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Morning Star Sporthorses LLC.

“She has to be one of the fastest horses I’ve ever ridden in my life,” said Coyle of his winning mount, CHS Krooze, a nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare sired by Kroongraaf.  “I’ve never been on a horse that sees the jumps before I do.  My friend in Ireland, Peter Smyth, told me when I bought her from him that she was the most competitive horse he ever rode.  She knows exactly what she’s doing, and she knows the difference between the first round and the jump-off.

“I got her in Florida at the start of this year; she has a lot of blood and is a very talented jumper,” continued Coyle.  “It took me about six months to get to know her, figuring out the right bridle to use and that sort of thing.  Now that she’s comfortable, I can concentrate on jumping the fences.  She has the heart to be at the top.”

The change of scenery for the three phases of the Caledon Cup is one of the things Coyle appreciates most about the unique format.

“That’s what is nice about changing the venue from day to day,” reflected Coyle.  “There are not many shows that do that format with jumping outdoors, then indoors, then Sunday is outdoors again for the grand prix.  The indoor brings a different atmosphere, and the crowd is closer to the jumps.  Everyone can see what is happening.  It’s up close and personal.  It takes a special horse to not mind where it’s going to jump.”

With a second-place finish in Thursday’s speed round and a win on Friday night, Coyle and CHS Krooze are closing in on the Caledon Cup, awarded to the top horse-rider combination following all three phases.  Coyle has an added incentive this year, as show organizer Equestrian Management Group (EMG) has introduced a new $10,000 bonus, presented by RAM Equestrian, to be awarded to the winner of the Caledon Cup.

Coyle will face stiff competition in the form of 17-year-old Sam Walker of Nobleton, ON.  Hot off winning team gold and individual silver medals at the recent North American Youth Championships, Walker claimed the $36,500 CSI2* Caledon Cup – Phase 1, presented by RAM Equestrian, on Thursday riding Coralissa, a nine-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by MarBill Hill Farm.  Walker negotiated the speed round in a time of 58.81 seconds, leaving all the jumps in place to take victory over Coyle, who was second with a time of 59.21 seconds riding CHS Krooze and third with a time of 59.51 seconds riding Leilani, his nine-year-old grey Holsteiner mare.

Sunday’s $40,000 Caledon Cup – Phase Three, presented by HEP, Aviva Insurance, and Edge Mutual Insurance, will decide the overall standings and the winner of the 2019 Caledon Cup title.  The list of past winners reads like a who’s who of show jumping with Hugh Graham (2009), Jill Henselwood (2010), Ian Millar (2011, 2014 and 2015), Yann Candele (2012), Conor Swail (2013), Nicole Walker (2016), Ali Ramsay (2017), and Veronica Bot (2018) having all hoisted the coveted Caledon Cup since its inception.

The CSI2* Canadian Show Jumping Tournament is the third and final FEI-sanctioned competition hosted by Equestrian Management Group (EMG) at the Caledon Equestrian Park this season.  For more information, including full results and competition schedule, visit www.caledonequestrianpark.com.

CONTACT: Jennifer Ward | cell: 613-292-5439 | www.startinggate.ca

Competitions, FEI, Show Jumping

Coyle and Farrel Are Best in FEI Jumping World Cup North American League Opener

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Daniel Coyle and Farrel. (FEI/MOI Photography/tbird)

Daniel Coyle (IRL) rode to a thrilling victory in the $145,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Vancouver.

Coyle revealed a rising star in the 9-year-old Farrel, who produced two electrifying clear rounds in the first of 14 legs in the 2019/2020 North American League season. Kelli Cruciotti (USA) finished second as the only other double-clear performer on the day, while Harrie Smolders (NED) was third aboard Hocus Pocus de Muze.

“I think, give him another year’s time, and he will be a real, real top horse — not that he isn’t right now, but he’s still a little green. This was a real track today, and he proved himself to be a horse for the future.” — Daniel Coyle (IRL)

Just five combinations were able to clear Peter Holmes (CAN)’s first round course without fault, and they all came from the class’s final eight riders. Richard Spooner (USA) was the first to crack the code, and Coyle, Smolders, Beezie Madden (USA), and Cruciotti followed.

In the jump-off, Coyle was the first to produce a second clear, and no one could catch him. He finished the shortened course in 37.32 seconds. Cruciotti, riding her mount from the 2019 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Gothenburg (SWE), finished in 42.26 seconds, while Smolders finished with a 4-fault score in 37.41 seconds.

“In the jump off, usually he jumps better, which is strange, but when you start galloping, he starts to look a little quicker and jump a little higher,” Coyle said. “I know that from the last few years that I’ve had him. That third jump did come down a lot, and I really rode him at it, and he jumped it probably as good as he could that second time. When you know them a little more, it’s a lot easier, especially when they’re younger jumping this level.”

The victory moved Coyle to the top of the east coast sub league standings of the North American League with 20 points, while Cruciotti took over an early lead in the west coast standings with 17 points.

The North American League continues in New York on 15 September 2019.

By Catie Staszak

FEI Media Contact:

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

Competitions, Show Jumping

Daniel Coyle Is Unbeatable

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Daniel Coyle (IRL) & Cita. Credit Tom von Kap-herr.

Bromont, August 4, 2019 – Daniel Coyle ran away with first and second place at the CSI3* Grand Prix presented by the Gouvernement du Québec at the International Bromont held at the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park.

Michel Vaillancourt, the course designer for this second week of competitions at International Bromont, prepared a difficult course for the final Grand Prix of the 44th edition of the competition. The technical difficulties, the short approach at an angle to the second obstacle, the combination on a straight line towards the ingate followed by a tight turn going to the sixth effort, as well as obstacle 11 preceded by a broken line and followed by a short 90-degree turn were the most trouble for the participants.

The lion’s share
Young twenty-three-year-old rider Stevie Murphy (CAN) is the first to execute a clear round with her mount Eba b RK in the first round. She is soon joined by Christine McCrea (USA) & Jarcobond Van Den Oude Eik, Julia Madigan (CAN) & Dee Jee, Kevin Babington (IRL) & both his mounts Super Chilled & Shorapur, Jill Henselwood (CAN) & Eblesse, as well as Daniel Coyle (IRL) with Cita & Farrel.

First to come back for the second round, Stevie Murphy executes a perfect round with Ebab RK in second in a time 45.25 seconds. Daniel Coyle & Cita, fourth to come back on the course, execute the best time in 37.12 seconds with a clear round; nobody will be able to dethrone the pair. Coyle will then execute the second-best time with Farrel, thus allowing him to leave with 53% of the prize money for this Grand Prix, presented by the Quebec Government.

For more information, visit the web site at: www.internationalbromont.com.

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Daniel Coyle Clinches $50,000 Hermès Under 25 Grand Prix Final Win

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Daniel Coyle and CHS Krooze. Photo © Sportfot.

Ailish Cunniffe Named Series Champion

The final day of WEF 11 came to a close with the spotlight shining on the future stars of show jumping. Daniel Coyle (IRL) scored a victory in the $50,000 Hermès Under 25 Grand Prix Final riding CHS Krooze on the stunning grass Derby Field at Equestrian Village on Sunday, March 24.

Coyle guaranteed a six-horse jump-off from the final spot in the opening round and again saved the best for last by going clear in a blistering 39.83 seconds over the short course to bump Belgium’s Zoe Conter into second.

“This is my last year in the Under 25 and I think the series has been incredible for me,” said Coyle, 24, who started competing in the Hermès Under 25 Grand Prix Series four years ago. “Experiencing this format is a real help for when we’re older.”

Coyle got the ride on CHS Krooze, a nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare by Kroongraaf, in December after bringing the mount over from Ireland. He noted, “I didn’t expect her to be at this level already and that just proves that the Under 25 is a real good series for the horses as well.”

Fuqua and Brighton Are Best in Rosenbaum PLLC Large Pony Hunters

Kat Fuqua of Atlanta, GA rode her own Brighton to the Rosenbaum PLLC Large Pony Hunter division championship title on Sunday to close out WEF Week 11.

The 11-year-old rider and Brighton, a 10-year-old German Riding Pony gelding, topped the 20 entries in the division, sponsored by Rosenbaum PLLC, to win the Large Pony Hunter Under Saddle, one Large Pony Hunter over fences class, and the Large Pony Hunter Handy class. The duo also claimed second in the Large Pony Hunter Conformation for a total of 36 points in the division.

“He was really good,” said Fuqua of the gelding that she notably also rode to the Large Regular Pony Hunter Championship at the 2018 US Equestrian Pony Finals after sweeping all three phases of the national championship event. “On both of my ponies at the same jump, I went for the forward distance, and it wasn’t there. The ponies were right; I was wrong. I’m really happy with them.”

For full results, please visit pbiec.coth.com.

Competitions, Show Jumping

Daniel Coyle Wins $36,000 Douglas Elliman 1.45m

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Daniel Coyle and Tienna. Photo © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – March 13, 2019 – Daniel Coyle of Ireland christened Week 10 of the Winter Equestrian Festival with a victory in the $36,000 Douglas Elliman CSI 3* 1.45m on Wednesday, March 13.

On the opening day of the three-star week, Michel Vaillancourt (CAN) designed a two-round course for 53 starters. Coyle, 24, contested the track with only six to compete behind him. He stopped the timers at 27.98 seconds riding Tienna, an 11-year-old Canadian Sport Horse mare owned and bred by Ariel Grange’s Lothlorien Farm based in Cheltenham, Ontario. The time was good enough to bump Eduardo Menezes (BRA) to second aboard H5 Uchingo, owned by H5 Sport Horses, after they held the lead for the majority of the class on a time of 28.37 seconds.

“For me, Tienna has always been special; she’s probably the most talented horse I have ever ridden,” said Coyle. “It usually takes me the whole WEF circuit to get her built up, which may be frustrating to some people but in the end she could win the biggest class in the world, so taking the first eight weeks of the year to get her on my side is worth it.”

For full results, please visit pbiec.coth.com.

Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Daniel Coyle and Cita Win $384k Douglas Elliman Real Estate Grand Prix CSI 5* at WEF

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Daniel Coyle and Cita. Photo © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – March 10, 2018 – Riding through a downpour, it was Daniel Coyle of Ireland riding Cita, owned by Ariel Grange & Lothlorien, who came out victorious in the $384,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate Grand Prix CSI 5* on Saturday, March 10, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL.

As the only double clear in the class, Daniel Coyle and Cita, a 12-year-old Holsteiner mare by Casall x Pik Ramiro, secured the victory in a time of 42.51 seconds.

Second place went to Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) on Chaganus, owned by Pessoa Stables. They had a rail in the double combination and finished in a time of 39.59 seconds.

Riding Mario Onate’s Coleman, Rodrigo Lambre (BRA) finished third with four faults on a time of 41.62 seconds.

Jennifer Bliss Goes One-Two in Open Hunter Derby

Jennifer Bliss of Loxahatchee, FL continued her derby field success by repeating her 2017 victory in the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby Open, presented by Equiline. Last year, she took the victory on Sugarman. This year, she led the victory gallop on Game Face, a nine-year-old Warmblood gelding owned by Harris Hill Farm LLC. She also placed second on Poker Face, also owned by Harris Hill Farm LLC.

Meredith Lipke and For Love Win Junior/Amateur Derby

Meredith Lipke of Weston, MA rode For Love to the win in the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby for Junior/Amateurs, presented by Equiline.

Lipke and For Love scored 85 and 86, plus picked up four bonus points in each round, for a winning total of 179. Second place went to Kianna Luscher and Carissima W, owned by Northeast Equi-Wave Therapy, LLC. They received scores of 83 and 85, plus three and two bonus points in successive rounds, for a 173 total. Samantha Karp and her own Zentina B scored 81 and 82 with four bonus points in each round for third place on a score of 171.

Equestrian Sport Productions | 561-793-JUMP | news@equestriansport.com | www.PBIEC.com

Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Daniel Coyle Scores a Victory at 2018 WEF

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Daniel Coyle and Tienna. Photo © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – March 7, 2018 – The ninth week of the 2018 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) began on Wednesday, March 7, with an FEI ranking class victory for Daniel Coyle of Ireland.

In the $35,000 Douglas Elliman 1.45m Jumpers CSI 5*, Daniel Coyle, 23, and Tienna, a ten-year-old Canadian Sport Horse mare by For Pleasure x Polydox owned by Ariel Grange, were fastest for victory. They completed the power and speed format course, designed by Ireland’s Alan Wade, who will also course design for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon this September.

Coyle and Tienna finished the second half of the course in 28.50 seconds for victory. They just pipped Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Cyklon 1083, owned by Spy Coast Farm LLC, who had the previous leading time of 28.70 seconds. Close behind was Santiago Lambre (MEX), who rode his own Doloris to third place in 29.04 seconds and was fourth on Integrated Services Florida LLC’s D’Artagnan in 29.52 seconds.

Barazi Wins for Jordan

Victory in the $8,000 Rose Hill Farm 1.40m CSI 2* went to Ibrahim Barazi of Jordan, who not only is the first rider from Jordan to win in the FEI division at the Winter Equestrian Festival, but also scored his first FEI victory in just his fourth FEI competition. He rode Omnia Incipit, a 10-year-old mare owned by IB Stable, to the win in a time of 37.15 seconds.

Second place went to Georgina Bloomberg (USA) on Paola 233, owned by Gotham Enterprizes, in 35.38 seconds. Willie Tynan (IRL) and Red Barn Farm LLC’s KEC City Limits were third in 36.43 seconds.

Equestrian Sport Productions | 561-793-JUMP | news@equestriansport.com | www.PBIEC.com

*Featured/Spotlights, FEI, Show Jumping

Coyle Cruises to First Longines Victory in Wellington

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Photo: Daniel Coyle (IRL) and Cita. (FEI/Ashley Neuhof)

Daniel Coyle (IRL) didn’t let up from start to finish, and the 23-year-old swiftly earned the first World Cup qualifier victory of his young career at the $220,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Wellington (USA) aboard Ariel Grange’s Cita.

Jumping on the expansive grass field at the Jacobs family’s Deeridge Farms, Coyle mastered a large, technical track designed by fellow Irishman Alan Wade. Only five of the 40 competitors qualified for the jump-off, which featured the defending champion of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final, McLain Ward (USA), two-time Olympic gold medalist Laura Kraut (USA), and 17-time World Cup Finals veteran Margie Engle (USA). Second to go in the jump-off, Coyle jumped clear once again and set an unbeatable time of 34.79 seconds.

Last to go over the shortened track, Kraut, aboard St. Bride’s Farm’s Confu, made a valiant run at Coyle’s time but settled for second, finishing her round in 35.14 seconds. Engle and her veteran partner Royce finished third with a time of 35.30 seconds.

“It’s an amazing feeling to beat any one of these two women, and everybody in that jump-off!” — Daniel Coyle (IRL)

“It never makes it any easier when the riders are as good as they were. I saw Margie’s round and thought that was going to be tough to beat, let alone McLain and Laura, [who were jumping] after me.”

Coyle’s winning formula was to get ahead early.

“I did [one fewer] stride [than Laura] in the first line [of the jump-off], and I think that’s only the real place that I got her,” he explained. “I don’t think there was much difference in time there. I was really tight back to the third jump, and then I just tried to smooth out the finish instead of trying to do something crazy.”

Eight of the top 20-ranked American riders in the east coast sub league of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League competed in Wellington. With a fifth-place finish aboard HH Callas, Ward sits atop the standings, although he is automatically qualified based on his victory in last season’s final. Alison Robitaille (USA) sits second in the rankings, while Beezie Madden (USA), Leslie Howard (USA), and Laura Kraut (USA) all advanced their standings.

With his result, Coyle, ranks 10th in the east coast sub league standings, and he may now consider competing at the final stop on the North American League. That will take place at Live Oak Plantation in Ocala, FL (USA) on Sunday 18 March 2018.

By Catie Staszak

FEI Media Contact:

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

Competitions, Show Jumping

Daniel Coyle and Fortis Fortuna Victorious in 1.40m Turf Tour Grand Prix

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Daniel Coyle and Fortis Fortuna (Photo by Equinium Sports Marketing)

Wellington, FL (April 7, 2017) – Fate smiled upon Ireland’s Daniel Coyle in the final Turf Tour Grand Prix of the 2017 season. Aboard Susan Grange’s Fortis Fortuna (Quidam de Revel x Carthago), Coyle channeled the luck of the Irish to deliver a blazingly fast double clear effort that could not be touched, despite the efforts of 45 of the industry’s top show jumping combinations. Over two arenas set on the springy, all-natural grass footing at Polo West, a diverse range of riders took to the courses to conclude The Ridge Palm Beach Series’ Turf Tour Finale on April 1st. In addition to the $24,999 1.40m Grand Prix clinched by Coyle, the Finale featured Low, Medium, and High Schooling jumpers running tandem to the morning’s 1.25m-1.30m divisions and the afternoon’s Grand Prix, as well as the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that have become a trademark of all The Ridge’s events.

With residents of Polo West watching poolside from their backyards and the expansive warm-up busting with riders and trainers, the last Turf Tour Grand Prix of the year commenced in the Florida sunshine. Sandra Dalman and A-Frieda-o delivered the first double clear of the Finale, piloting the elegant grey to a faultless jump-off on a time of 38.214. With the standard set and a time to chase, some of the sport’s best known horses and riders tried their hand over the course, including Brazilian Olympian Rodrigo Pessoa aboard Chloe and the British Olympic duo of Ben Maher and Tic Tac. But it was Venezuela’s Emmanuel Andrade and Nokia De Brekka (Quick Star x Apache D’Adriers) who ultimately stole the lead from Dalman, stopping the timers at 34.016 in the jump-off. Immediately following Andrade and Nokia’s ride, American Andrew Ramsay and Jadalco slid neatly into second with a 34.635.

As the class continued, Coyle, riding for Susan Grange, guided a number of horses to double clear efforts, including his winning ride on Fortis Fortuna. He also piloted the scopey Ridley (Ustinov x Adlantus AS) to 3rd, jumping-off in 34.544 to bump Ramsey and Jadalco out of the top three. Fortis Fortuna, who has been a solid competitor for Coyle both in Wellington and at Spruce Meadows, is back competing following some time off and Coyle said it was great to be able to show her on the grass just before they journey north to the prestigious Canadian circuit.

“We come down to Wellington every year, and ironically she doesn’t much prefer to jump on the grass,” said Coyle of the 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare. “As we are aiming for Spruce Meadows in the summer we didn’t want to stress her by jumping on the sand all the time. But she’s a fantastic mare, and it was great for her to win today as we continue to build her strength for the summer. The Ridge’s Turf Tour dates are a great opportunity to get off the farm and in a new environment, and especially to be able to jump on something other than sand. Not every horse likes to go on sand, and the grass is a nice change to keep them fresh.”

Intended to act as a catalyst for the growth and development of horses and riders in the sport, The Ridge Palm Beach Series, which includes the Turf Tour, features courses and classes that reflect the need for solid basics provides the opportunity for horses and riders at a variety of levels to experience and compete in different venues and atmospheres. “Our goal is giving competitors the chance to experience everything, from riding on the turf polo fields to showing under the lights in an indoor arena,” said George D’Ambrosio, co-organizer of the Turf Tour with US Olympian Nona Garson.

“It’s a really unique way to do things,” said Garson. “Riders can sharpen their skills riding against Olympians on exceptional footing and over expertly designed courses, but all at their own pace and in a beautiful setting. Our open in-gate allows flexibility with other events and schedules, and we are really looking to offer a way for developing horses and riders to hone their skills without a major expense or the stress and atmosphere of a large show grounds. In 2017 we launched full jumper divisions at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, as well as Hunter Derbies, equitation events, and dressage, which all follow in the vision of the Turf Tour. As we wrap up another season of showing in Wellington we want to thank all of our riders, trainers, spectators and staff for another fantastic season and we are already looking forward to 2018!”

Join us for a full series of exciting schooling and rated events beginning in April at The Ridge at Riverview, 4 Wolverton Road in Asbury, New Jersey. All of the amazing amenities of The Ridge at Wellington without the summer heat! Check The Ridge’s website, www.TheRidgeFarm.com, for future postings of the prize lists and entry forms.

Media Contact:
Holly Johnson
Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC
www.equinium.com
holly@equinium.com
+1 954 205 7992