Podium Finish for Coyle in 5* Grand Prix

Daniel Coyle and Quintin. Photo: Andrew Ryback Photography

Irish athletes in top form at Williamsburg

Daniel Coyle completed what has been a brilliant show for Irish athletes at the CSI5* and CSI2* in Williamsburg. Coyle finished third in the $650,000 CND American Gold Cup 1.60m Grand Prix riding Ariel Grange’s 13-year-old gelding Quintin.

The combination jumped clear in the first round to secure their place in the seven-way jump-off, stopping the clock in 34.47 seconds. Ashley Bond finished second in 34.35 seconds, and victory went to the home nation and Karl Cook in 32.95 seconds.

Speaking about the jump-off, Coyle said: “There are endless different ways to ride jump-offs. Quintin has quite a big stride and he’s generally fast but not quick over the jump or at the jump.

“I talked about it with Conor Swail and a couple of the guys and I thought maybe if I was clever, third place would do today. There was quite a big gap between (Karl and Ashlee) and further down. I’m delighted with where I am today, and with the horse I have today stepping up to this level. I think the right two won.”

Fellow Irish rider Richie Moloney finished sixth with Coco Beach, owned by Equinimity LLC.

This was not the only success for Irish athletes at the top level over the course of the week. Richard Howley was the sole Irish representative at the Longines Global Champions Tour in Rome with Consulent de Prelet Z, owned in partnership between Sarah Borthwick and HK Horses.

This combination finished second in the 1.60m ranking class on Friday.

Earlier in the week at Williamsburg, Coyle won the 1.50m ranking class on Friday with Ivory TCS, owned in partnership between Ariel Grange and Coyle. Shane Sweetnam claimed fourth place in the same class with Out of the Blue SFC, owned by Spy Coast Farm LLC.

Coyle and Sweetnam were joined by Conor Swail on Saturday in the top ten in the 1.50m ranking class. Coyle once again partnered Ivory TCS, finishing in fourth place. Sweetnam was on board Cjoxx Z to finish seventh. The nine-year-old gelding is owned by Epic Stables LLC.

Swail completed the line up in eighth with Casturano, owned by Mannon Farm.

In the CSI2* show at the same venue, Irish athletes enjoyed more success. On Friday Swail added another victory to his impressive tally with his former Aga Khan-winning mount Count Me In. The pair won the 1.45m CND Speed Classic.

The 16-year-old gelding is owned by Sandy Lupton and Mannon Farm. Paul O’Shea finished ninth in the same class with Spy, owned by Team Eye Candy.

In the two-star Grand Prix, three finish riders finished inside the top ten. James Chawke was fifth with Howard Du Seigneur., owned by Ramsay Equestrian Inc. Darragh Kenny was sixth with VDL Cartello, owned by Heathman Farm LLC, and Shane Sweetnam completed the trio in seventh with RR Combella, owned in partnership between Sweetnam and Voquest LLC.