Magnificent World Cup win in Mexico for Derry’s Jordan Coyle – Irish trio feature among prizes in Florida

Twenty-five-year-old Jordan Coyle recorded the biggest win of his career to-date in the early hours of this morning (Sunday), when he came out on top in the Longines FEI World Cup Grand Prix at Leon in Mexico with the 10-year-old gelding Eristov.

Jordan Coyle (IRL) and the Elan Farm-owned Eristov recorded a career-high victory in Leon. (Photo: FEI/Anwar Esquivel)

Just two of the 21 starters managed to jump clear in the opening round, with Derry-born Coyle drawn first to go in the jump-off. Coyle crossed the line clear in 40.37 seconds to put the pressure on Mexico’s Salvador Onate and Big Red, who were fresh off a win in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup in Guadalajara just two weeks prior. Onate would have to settle for second place on this occasion after a clear in 41.96 failed to beat the target set by Ireland’s Coyle. Federico Fernandez (MEX) and Davidoff finished third, having recorded just a single time fault in the first round.

“My horse is naturally very fast,” Coyle said. “Going first, I wasn’t sure what to do, as I’m new to Mexico [and this show circuit]. I went as fast as I could go, and it worked. On a day like this, I don’t think there are many horses in the world that are as good as him [Eristov] This is without a doubt my biggest win so far.”
The result has moved Coyle up to 16th place on the FEI World Cup North American Western Sub-League, with one more round remaining at Live Oak in Florida before the 2019 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Moloney, Swail and Coyle shine in Wellington five-star Grand Prix

The first five-star Grand Prix at the 2019 Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida on Saturday saw Kilkenny’s Richie Moloney take third place on the podium with The Irish Sport Horse Rocksy Music. A massive $391,000 was up for grabs in the Fidelity Investments sponsored competition at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, with 18 of the 40 starters making it into the jump-off.
Moloney and Rocksy Music, owned by Equinimity LLC, crossed the finish line clear in 34.42 seconds for third place.

Richie Moloney and The Irish Sport Horse Rocksy Music (Photo: Sportfot)

It was another solid result for Rocksy Music, a horse that Moloney has brought along slowly for the last year and a half. “He was a little bit difficult when he came first. He’s 11, but he’s probably a year behind,” said Moloney of the 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding by ARS Vivendi x Diamond Serpent. “We took our time, and he when he was ready to go, he came along very quickly.”

Ringmaster Steve Rector, Kent Farrington (runner-up), Martin Fuchs (winner), Richie Moloney (third place), Mike Berry , VP, Financial Consultant for Fidelity Investments®, and Equestrian Sport Productions President Michael Stone. (Photo: Sportfot)

Moloney gave Rocksy Music, bred by Stephen Keane and found by Moloney’s brother Eddie, three months off before the start of the WEF circuit and aimed for this Grand Prix. “I’m very happy with my jump-off,” he said. “He’s going to be my best horse.”
Co Down’s Conor Swail (IRL) and the Vanessa Mannix-owned Flower finished just off the podium in fourth (34.69), while Daniel Coyle finished sixth with Quintin in 34.90.
Victory went to Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs with Clooney after they set an unbeatable target of clear in 33.13.

BREEDING

Rocksy Music (ISH) – 2008 gelding by Ars Vivendi (HOLST) out of Krafty Kate (ISH), by Diamond Serpent (ISH). Breeder: Stephen Keane, Co. Waterford. Owner: Equinimity LLC. Rider: Richie Moloney (IRL)