by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 3, 2024
The world’s number one dressage horse, TSF Dalera BB, will be “telling me when our last public dance will be. Not the other way around,” rider Jessica von Bredow Werndl says of the 17-year-old reigning Olympic and European championship star.
Would this summer’s Paris Olympics be the mare’s last competition? That might be the right note for bringing down the curtain on her brilliant competition career.
Jessica also notes on social media about Dalera that “If she still conceives, she will also be allowed to become a mommy. That is up to her — or rather her body.”
U.S. fans got to see Dalera in person at last year’s FEI World Cup finals. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Retirement isn’t imminent, however. This weekend, the mare won the German Championships in Balve with a Freestyle marked at 89.6 percent. A distant second was Frederic Wandres on Duke of Britain (83.45).
Dalera, a Trakehner, has had 35 straight victories in the last three years. She has earned 2,078 points in the FEI horse rankings, to 1,943 for the recently retired Emilio. And not surprisingly, Jessica is first in the rider rankings, ahead of Emilio’s rider, Isabell Werth. Both are from Germany.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 9, 2024
Kent Farrington and Greya, followed by Karl Cook and Caracole de la Roque on their victory lap at La Baule. (Photo by Melanie Smith Taylor)
It doesn’t exactly make up for the disappointing sixth-place U.S. finish in Friday’s Nations Cup at La Baule, France, but it was encouraging to see two candidates for the American Olympic team finish 1-2 Sunday in the $540,000 Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule in the picturesque seaside city.
Kent Farrington won on his own 10-year-old Greya in a field heavy with big names. He and the Oldenburg mare were double-clear in 34.09 seconds, with Karl coming close on the speedy Caracole de la Roque (34.21) in the 11-horse jump-off. The best-placed non-American was Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet on Bond James Bond de la Hay (one of the best horse names!), much slower in 37.79.
“I’ve been second here before, actually,” Kent said, “so I wanted some good revenge.”
It was Greya’s first international victory since Kent started riding her in September 2021. He and Karl were the only U.S. riders to qualify for the jump-off in the field of 50. McLain Ward had 4 in the first round with Ilex to finish twenty-first, while Lillie Keenan was four places back of that with eight faults on Argan de Beliard . Aaron Vale was forty-third on 16 faults with Carissimo 25.
The course for the La Baule grand prix was laid out by Gregory Bodo, who will design the show jumping route for the Paris Olympics.
In Friday’s Nations Cup, things did not go as well for Kent. as they did in the grand prix. He was eliminated in the first round aboard Landon, and did not show in the second round of the class, which was won by Germany, with France and Belgium completing the podium. Other scores for the U.S. were 4/0 for Karl, 0/8 for Lillie and 4/8 for Aaron. All three were on the same horses they rode in the grand prix.
Click here for grand prix results
click here for Nations Cup results
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 9, 2024
The final day of Grand Prix competition at the Hagen, Germany, 3-star dressage show Sunday on Friday kept multi-Olympic veteran Steffen Peters on Suppenkasper ahead of the other U.S. riders in competition for a place on the team for the Paris Games this summer, but he was behind the winner of the Special, Henri Ruoste of Finland on Tiffany’s Diamond (74.894 percent).
Steffen and Suppenkasper earned 72.660 percent to be second, leading the U.S. contingent. Second-best of that group was Ashley Holzer on Hansel (72 percent) in fourth place. She was not among the top eight in the rankings on the official U.S. trip to Europe, but made the journey anyway as American competitors vied for Olympic selection.
Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper in Hagen.
Steffen had been at the head of the U.S. Olympic rankings since last year. On the new FEI global ranking list, Steffen is the highest listed U.S. rider, in thirty-second place. Suppenkasper is thirty-third on the horse ranking list. In the Olympics, the Special counts for the team medal; the freestyle determines individual medals.
Adrienne Lyle, who topped the U.S. placings after Helix finished third in the first part of the class on Thursday with 71.956, was fifth in the Special with 71.979 percent. She finished just ahead of Marcus Orlob on Jane, scoring a personal best in sixth, marked at 71.936 percent.
Marcus Orlob and Jane.
Marcus took over the ride on Jane from the mare’s owner, Alice Tarjan, only during the winter. He spent more time in Germany before Hagen than the other U.S. riders so he could get to know Jane better. A native of Germany, Marcus is a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Endel Ots and Zen Elite’s Bohemian dropped in the placings to eighth with 71.745 percent. Helix, Adrienne’s ride, is also owned by the Zen Elite Equestrian Center of Florida.
Nanna Skodborg Merrald of Denmark, who had won the Grand Prix on Thursday with Blue Hors Zepter, did not ride that horse in the Special. She won the Freestyle Saturday with Blue Hors Znickers (79.975), with Kasey Perry-Glass of the U.S. second on Heartbeat W.P. (75.280).
To review the rest of the placings, click here for Grand Prix Special results.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 5, 2024
An Equine Welfare Strategy Action Plan backed by a welfare fund of $ 1,119 to launch it was approved this week during the FEI (international equestrian federation) meeting in Switzerland.
Priority will be given to six focus areas including riding, training tack and equipment; recognition of physical and emotional stress; accountability, enforcement and knowledge and “the other 23 hours,” concerning what the horse does when it is not competing or being trained. Also included among the focus areas is competitive drive/horse as a number/object and not fit to compete masking health problems.
The action plan is based on the recommendations outlined in the final report of the Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission (EEWC).
The focus areas were divided into action points and entered into a matrix linking each point to the recommendations made by the EEWC, persons or groups in charge of delivery, finances and deadlines. A series of other actions not linked to the six focus areas but addressing the EEWC recommendations have also been incorporated, including education on the five domains of animal welfare approach, communications strategy and reporting mechanisms.
Calling this “an important day for horse welfare,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said. “The board took its responsibility and devoted time to discuss the detailed action plan with keen interest. Significant actions have been outlined, which will benefit horse welfare and will have a powerful impact on the sport as a whole
The action plan will be finalized with the suggestions made by the board and will be published shortly. Implementation will begin immediately, with the objective to propose initial rule changes that safeguard horse welfare at the FEI General Assembly this fall. The plan, which includes scientific research projects, offers an ongoing perspective that will continue for years.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 3, 2024
If you watched the 4-star at the Kentucky Three-Day Event in April, you saw the U.S. eventing team for this summer’s Paris Games, which was named Monday.
Will Coleman and 4-star third-place Off the Record, the more experienced of his two horses, was selected, while his 4-star winner, the newcomer Diabolo, is a direct reserve.
Will Coleman and Off the Record. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Boyd Martin — a member of every U.S. Olympic and world championships team since 2010 — and Federman B, fourth at Kentucky, also got the nod. Boyd’s second-place Kentucky mount, Commando 3, is his direct reserve. Fourth-place HSH Blake and Pan Am Games individual gold medalist Caroline Pamukcu are also on the squad. She does not have a direct reserve.
The traveling reserve, the only one of the top group to have run in the Defender Kentucky 5-star, is Liz Halliday. She will back up the three-member team. Her mount, Cooley Nutcracker, placed eighth at the Kentucky Horse Park. The first alternate is Sydney Elliott with QC Diamantaire.
Missing from the line-up is Tamie Smith’s ride, Mai Baum, last year’s Kentucky 5-star winner, who skipped this year’s 5-star due to injury. The horse was withdrawn from consideration for the Games, as Tamie explained on social media.
“This was a difficult decision because we have felt Mai Baum would have contributed positively to the Team had he been selected. Since his setback leading into Kentucky, there is not adequate time remaining for preparation and conditioning for him to be in top form for the team mandatory outing in a few short weeks,” Tamie said.
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“We are obviously disappointed, but always have his best interest at heart and will be looking to aim him for an exciting fall competition.
We will be cheering for Team USA, not in Paris, but at another special venue, Rebecca Farm.”
Chef d’equipe Bobby Costello said, “This was a very thorough selection process and after speaking with each of our team members named to this Olympic team, I can say there is a palpable sense of optimism and determination as we enter these final six weeks of meticulous preparation heading into Paris. We have firm but realistic expectations together as a team to continue pushing the needle forward for this program.”
Alternates in alphabetical order are James Alliston (Karma), Jennie Brannigan (FE Lifestyle), Will Faudree (Mama’s Magic Way), as well as Liz Halliday with Miks Master C and Shanroe Cooley. James, Jennie and Liz will be on the team for Aachen next month with Alyssa Phillips.
The Olympic team will have a mandatory outing June 21-23 at the Stable View Summer Horse Trials in Aiken, S.C. before going to Europe to train for the Games.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 3, 2024
The FEI has opened disciplinary proceedings against dressage trainer Cesar Parra.
Parra, a native of Colombia who represented that nation in the Olympics, became an American citizen and rode on the U.S. team in the Pan American Games. Following the release online earlier this year of videos showing him whipping horses and engaging in other practices that were questioned, the Florida-based trainer was provisionally suspended from national and FEI competitions.
That suspension remains in effect during the disciplinary proceedings. An FEI spokesperson said that as this is an ongoing investigation, the international federation cannot provide any further comment at this stage.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 6, 2024
The second day of Grand Prix competition at the Hagen, Germany, 3-star dressage show on Friday kept multi-Olympic veteran Steffen Peters ahead of the other U.S. riders in competition for a place on the team for the Paris Games this summer.
Steffen and Suppenkasper earned 72.869 percent to be third, but could not overtake the previous day’s leaders, Denmark’s Nanna Skodborg Merrald on the consistent Blue Hors Zepter (78.739) and World Cup champion Patrik Kittel of Sweden (Jovian/74.783).
Steffen had been at the head of the U.S. Olympic rankings since last year. On the new FEI global ranking list, Steffen is the highest listed U.S. rider, in thirty-second place. Suppenkasper is thirty-third on the horse ranking list.
Adrienne Lyle, who topped the U.S. placings after Helix finished third in the first part of the class on Thursday with 71.956, moved down to fifth behind Henri Ruoste of Finland (Tiffany’s Diamond/72.239) as the class wrapped up.
Anna Buffini, Steffen’s fellow Californian, was seventh with Fiontini, marked at 71.783 percent. She is behind Endel Ots on Zen’s Bohemian, sixth with 71.891. Anna and Steffen were the only Americans competing on the second day of the class.
Adrienne was pleased with her ride on Helix.
“I was very happy with Helix and how he handled the big stadium environment,” she said.
Adrienne Lyle and Helix. (File photo by Susan J. Stickle)
“My goal for him was a relaxed, confidence-building ride today.”
Adrienne also competed on Lars van der Hoenderheide, but withdrew after a mistake in the two-tempis.
“I chose to retire Lars because something in his body felt uncomfortable today when I went into the ring. The signs he was giving me may have been subtle for the observer, but I could tell something wasn’t right in his body, so I chose to retire,” explained Adrienne, who always puts the welfare of her horses first and is sensitive to how they are reacting.
“Our partnership is still very new and I want to be sure he always trusts me and that I don’t push him if he isn’t feeling right. I am very fortunate to have an owner and trainer who think this same way and were fully supportive of the decision.”
Adrienne, whose mentor is former U.S. dressage star Debbie McDonald, began riding Lars and Helix this year for owner Heidi Humphries of Zen Elite Equestrian Center in Florida. Heidi also owns Zen Elite’s Bohemian. That horse was ridden to fourth place in the Tokyo Olympics by Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour of Denmark.
Others among the eight U.S. riders who made the cut for the European tour and rode in Hagen included Katherine Bateson Chandler, who ended up eleventh on Haute Couture (70.764), Marcus Orlob, fifteenth with Jane (69.957) and Pan American Games medalist Anna Marek (Fire Fly, seventeenth, 69.848). Ashley Holzer did not make the cut for the top eight named for the tour after being tenth in the rankings, but came to Europe anyway and rode Hansel to eighth place (71.456)
click here for final Grand Prix results
by Nancy Jaffer | May 10, 2024
The Tewksbury (N.J.) Trail Association and the Tewksbury Historical Society are collaborating June 8 on their biennial barn tour. Held in even-numbered years, the tour always offers an insight into interesting barns and stables in the picturesque Hunterdon County municipality.
This time, the tour includes a property where the owners are involved in an innovative regenerative organic method of farming. A two-acre permaculture food forest with 100 plants, trees, shrubs, bushes and grasses is a highlight.
“We’re really excited about this one, just because it’s a little bit different and we’re hoping people will be interested in learning more about this,” said Jeannie Shuster, president of the Tewksbury Trail Association.
She emphasized how important the tour is to the work of the organization that maintains trails throughout the sprawling township.
“Our treasury takes a big bump up on the years that we have the barn tour,” she explained.
“It’s a super-important fundraiser and allows us to get out and do more trail maintenance because of the funds we have in our treasury. Our main goal is keeping the trails clear and marked,” Jeanne noted, saying proceeds may enable purchase of additional equipment for trail clearing.
As a partner in the popular tour, the Historical Society also shares funds that go toward its own projects. Jeannie emphasized how happy TTA is to be able to join the other organization in the presenting the popular tour.
The tour begins at 10 a.m. and ends promptly at 3 p.m.
For tickets, go to tewksburyhistory.net. Look on the left-hand side of the page for the barn tour notice and click there. Tickets purchased in advance are $40 each. On-line sales end at 10 p.m. June 6. Tickets for adults at the gate are $50, but tickets for children 11-18 are $5 each. Children 10 and under are free. Children’s ticket purchases are available only on the day of the event, however.
For more information about the Tewksbury Trail Association, click on https://www.tta-nj.org/
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 2, 2024
The Essex Horse Trials has a special character. It’s not just the fact that it’s held at two unique venues, it also has great footing and as an added attraction, a car show. Really. There’s nothing else quite like it.
When Sara Kozumplik saw that upper-level entries were a little light at the event this weekend, she knew what she had to do.
“I love this event and want to support it,” said the Virginia and Florida-based trainer, explaining why she brought 19-year-old Rubens D’ysieux to the New Jersey event.
As those who knew the history of Rubens D’ysieux might have expected, the Selle Francais demonstrated his usual prowess by taking the featured Open Intermediate title convincingly. He finished ahead of eight other starters in dressage with 28.9 penalties; then aced the show jumping and larked around the cross-country course designed by Morgan Rowsell without adding anything to his score.
Sara had been second to Boyd Martin and Miss Lulu Herself two weeks earlier in the $50,000 Arena Eventing at the Devon Horse Show, a competition Rubens won twice before.
Sara wondered if going cross-country at Essex would mean too many jumps in a short period of time, and was ready to withdraw if her mount didn’t feel right, but Rubens was up for it.
He isn’t doing any more international competitions, having completed his last 4-star in April. But the Intermediate provided a nice opportunity for him to show off what he does best.
Open Intermediate winner Sara Kozumplik and Rubens D’ysieux. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“The horse likes to do stuff like this. This kind of thing, he kind of lives for it,” Sara said, comparing it to “a nice cross-country school.”
Her enthusiasm for Essex was shared by riders in all 10 divisions offered.
Lillian Heard Wood, second in the Intermediate with the Irish import Dassett Olympus, was glad she came.
“The tracks were amazing, and I think they really were developed to give the horses confidence,” she said.
Lilllian Heard Wood on Dassett Olympus in the dressage phase. (Photo © 2024 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
Her husband, Ryan Wood, had said she couldn’t move Dasett Olympus up to the Advanced level until she was able to go at the Intermediate speed, and that’s what she did.
“I didn’t quite make the time, but I went fast and it felt really good,” said Lillian.
Ryan wasn’t able to attend this weekend, but Lillian said, “I’ve been reporting back how wonderful it’s been here, so hopefully next year.”
Lillian, who won the Open Preliminary with another Irish horse, Bellines Quality Lady, (also known as Foxy) added, “It was probably the best footing I’ve been on all year. It’s like running on a cloud. It was crazy incredible.”
Lillian Heard Wood and Open Preliminary winner Bellines Quality Lady. (Photo © 2024 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
Essex is part of the fabric of New Jersey’s Somerset Hills, having started on the Haller family’s farm in Bedminster in 1968 before moving to the U.S. Equestrian Team headquarters in nearby Gladstone 11 years later. Construction of a golf course there ended the Essex run after 1998, but it was revived in 2017 at Moorland Farm in Far Hills, a short drive from the Team. Now the dressage and show jumping phases are held at the USET Foundation, while cross-country is at Moorland, home of the Far Hills Race Meeting.
A popular addition to the weekend has been the Peter Chesson Memorial Car show adjacent to the cross-country course. Fox news host Jesse Watters, who lives in the Somerset Hills and attended Essex, had publicized the show on his program. It drew 500 cars (including the Batmobile), and some of those who came to see the autos wandered over to the equestrian competition to get a glimpse of genuine horse power.
The car show drew more than 500 vehicles to Moorland Farm. (Photo © 2024 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
Hannah Sue Hollberg, who won the Intermediate last year with Hachi, likes the fact that the event reaches non-equestrians.
“It’s very rare in that way,” she said.
She’s quite a fan of Essex.
“Being able to come to USET headquarters is so cool. The two locations concept is the best of both,” said the rider, who was sixth in Open Prelim with Hachi this year.
“Both venues are to die for,” agreed Marilyn Payne, who won the Open Novice section with Rock Me Mama (the name of the song that’s the ring tone for calls from her son, Olympian Doug Payne.)
“To be able to ride at the team and jump in that arena, it’s unbelievable,” said Marilyn, an international judge who has officiated at two Olympics.
A resident of nearby Tewksbury Township, she is planning on moving up to Training level after her successful run at Essex on her mare, which she bought off a video from the family in England who raised her—the first time she ever purchased a horse without riding it first.
Lauren Chumley and Atlanta B in the show jumping against the backdrop of the historic USET Foundation stables. (Photo © 2024 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
Lauren Chumley, a Pittstown, N.J., trainer whose specialty is dressage, decided to take a busperson’s holiday by competing at Essex. Her horse, Atlanta B, is 19 years old and “I feel like she’s jumping the best she’s ever jumped,” said Lauren, who was second in Open Preliminary.
Lauren admitted to feeling a bit nervous to be eventing after a layoff from the discipline, but observed, “When you have the right horse, the jumps don’t matter.”
Atlanta had a baby by Sea Lion, a filly that is a carbon copy of her dam. Lauren plans to compete her through Preliminary, then let fellow professional Meg Kepferle take over.
Essex was a favored destination for Lauren for several reasons, but one stood out.
“I love that they have the tailgating because all the people from my dressage barn come. I always tell them, `You have a 50-50 chance of me falling in the water. So it will be entertaining either way’,” she chuckled.
Essex is a great showcase for a variety of horses and riders, from the most experienced down to beginner novice. It seems as if nearly every horse has a story to tell, like Littlebitadominic, who was purchased by Carleen DeVincenzo for $600 from a rescue after the thoroughbred’s racing career ended.
With the help of Carleen running to every jump and cheering him on so he could hear her, the gelding was third in Prelim with Arielle Aharoni, who taught him how to jump.
Arielle Aharoni and Littlebitadominic. (Photo © 2024 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
“He’s brave and adjustable. He probably thought it was a walk in the park,” she said.
“I think he’s ready to move up to Intermediate.”
Essex offers several special awards, including the Jean and Elliott Haller Perpetual Trophy for Horsemanship in memory of the former owners of Hoopstick. It went to Sara Kelson, who works for Sara Kozumplik.
Sally Ike, Essex chairman, consulted officials about who should get the honor and reported, “They all were in unanimous agreement that Sara was an extraordinary person. They said she is kind, she is always there to help when help is needed.”
Morgan Rowsell and Sally Ike with award winner Sara Kelson. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Sally added that when Sara Kozumplik was told the other Sara had gotten the award, “she broke into tears because it was such a worthwhile award and would mean so much to Sara Kelson.”
The Golden Nugget award, given by Clarissa Wilmerding, goes to the best-scoring member of a Pony Club in any division. It went to Olivia Hicok, third in Beginner Novice B on Huckleberry with a score of 29.1.
Blessed by fabulous weather and safe competition, Essex 2024 was a great success.
For the riders, “It’s worth making the trip,” Morgan believes.
“You’re going to get international horses ready for international competition, you’re going to get amateurs to have a really special time to help support and bring new generations forward, because it’s such a cool place to be.”
Tailgaters at Essex have an up-close view of the water complex on cross-country. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“It’s such a community activity,” Sally observed.
The beneficiary is the Greater Newark LifeCamp, which gives Newark-area children an opportunity to participate in an enrichment program in the country each summer.
“I think it was a phenomenal weekend,” said Guy Torsilieri, a member of the Essex board.
“With the synergy of the car show and the cross-country, there’s a lot of potential there.”
Between the car show and the horse trials, Sally said, “I think we hit it out of the ballpark.”
click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | May 31, 2024
Ireland reigned supreme for the third time this week in the Dixon Oval, as Jordan Coyle took the $226,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon with a bold performance on an equally determined For Gold while a standing-room-only crowd cheered him on.
The crowd salutes Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon winner Jordan Coyle and For Gold. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“My horse isn’t that fast. He always looks like he’s going really fast, but actually he’s not that fast,” said Jordan, as Lillie Keenan, the runner-up in Thursday’s class, chimed in, saying, “I don’t believe that at all.”
And you could easily understand her comment.
For Gold appeared to be simply flying around the route set by Alan Wade (another Irishman!), a performance reflected in a time of 37.45 seconds, ahead of Lillie’s Kick On in 38.12.
The top two finishers had the same odd circumstance propelling their trips. Both executed iffy jumps at the first fence, which worked in their favor.
“A few horses didn’t jump it good,” Jordan said of the unimposing vertical that was set heading toward the outgate.
“But after that, it got me and the horse’s blood up, and from then on, everything came on pretty good.”
Noting that Kick On also wasn’t show his best form at that obstacle, Lillie contended, “that’s almost like a kick in the butt.”
Her mount is relatively inexperienced; this was only his second 4-star.
Lillie Keenan and Kick On. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I had planned to be a bit quicker than I was,” Lillie conceded. She is familiar with Jordan’s penchant for beating the clock.
“I knew he would be hard to catch,” she said.
“I did what I could without taking too much risk,” added Lillie, who finished in 38.12 seconds,
“In hindsight, there’s definitely a few things I would have changed,” observed the rider, whose initial visit to Devon came 20 years ago, when she was seven and looking for her first pony. Many of the show’s treasured silver trophies have her mother’s name engraved on them, “so I’m honored to be here,” said Lillie, whose own name now will be inscribed on the Style of Riding award trophy.
(UPDATE: Lillie finished Devon on Saturday as its Leading Jumper Rider, while Kick On was Open Jumper Champion. Reserve Open Jumper Champion was Cashew CR, ridden by Alex Matz to victory in the final jumper class, the $145,100 Idle Dice Stake,, where Kick On was second.)
Third place went to Colombia’s Mark Bluman, a member of the family that includes Olympian Daniel Bluman and Ilan Bluman, both of whom were also in the class but failed to make the seven-horse tiebreaker. Mark, who has a friendly rivalry with them, had the only other clear trip in the jump-off, but lost the $74,580 first prize purse on an exceedingly wide turn with Ubiluc to the third fence, a Liverpool. His horse, he explained, has trouble turning to the right, and his time of 38.67 could be explained by that peculiarity, even though he went like blazes around the rest of the course.
Mark Bluman at the Liverpool after his difficult right-hand turn with Ubiluc. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Still, he was just happy to make the podium at a show where he considers the atmosphere is “one of the best ones there is in the world. It’s nice to have the motivation of an educated public to make us do our job better and make a show out of it.”
The fastest jump-off round was turned it by Mimi Gochman on Inclen BH in 36.54 seconds, but it came at the price of two rails, which put her sixth.
Jordan is the brother of Daniel Coyle, a mainstay of the Irish team that could well be favored in this summer’s Olympics. Competition for spots on the Irish team is intense, but Jordan isn’t going for it, saying he’ll leave that to the others because he thinks the squad is “done and dusted.”
Another Irish rider, Darragh Kenny, won both the Tuesday and Wednesday classes with different horses.
However, Darragh’s slim Paris Games hope rested on yet another mount, the 17-year-old VDL Cartello, whose slow 4-fault effort in the first round at Devon put him tenth. Darragh’s top horse, Amsterdam, is on the injured list and he said the other night that he thought Irish chef d’equipe Michael Blake might consider Cartello too old for an Olympic spot in any case.
Jordan rode at Devon for the first time because his wife, Kimberly, qualified to ride in the adult jumpers and had always wanted to come.
“I wanted to go elsewhere,” he confessed, “but that won’t happen again.”
Jordan now plans to return annually. He’s glad he accompanied Kim and brought For Gold along.
Jordan Coyle and For Gold. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“This is what America’s losing. This is a proper horse show. The crowd here is amazing, the whole atmosphere. We can jump 5-star grands prix, and there’s 50 people there,” he pointed out.
“This show, for sure, I will be back. I can’t say enough good things. I already told my parents that they have to come here next year.”
Jordan dotes on the very consistent For Gold.
“He’s an unbelievably genuine horse. Maybe he doesn’t have all the talent in the world, but he’s so genuine that he can do anything.”
He had tried to buy the horse three times, but it didn’t work out.
“I’ve never been lucky buying horses.”
However, this time “it was all meant to be.”
Jordan said, “This horse, you couldn’t not love him. If it was possible for a horse to live in the house, he would live in the house and sleep in the bed. He’s the closest thing to a dog that has ever been.”
Lillie Keenan, Jordan Coyle and Mark Bluman. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
When I met Jordan in February during the Florida circuit, he revealed that his wife had wondered if he loved the horse more than he loved her. As he recounted the story, Jordan said (with a grin) “it is possible.”
Jordan noted For Gold For FashionXHeraldik) was treated more like a pet than an athlete until he started training with 2002 world show jumping champion Dermott Lennon. He explained everything comes so easily for the beautifully balanced horse that he found it hard to make him actually work.
Crowd favorite McLain Ward’s quest for a thirteenth Devon grand prix victory ended when Contagious had a rail fence 6-C, the last part of the triple combination. He had the fastest 4-fault round to end up ninth.
click here for results
