by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 11, 2024
The death of Chromatic BF shortly after a brilliant performance at the FEI World Cup Show Jumping Finals in Saudi Arabia April 18 was a devastating development that seemed unreal.
The 13-year-old Oldenburg appeared to be in great condition as he flew over the fences under the guidance of rider Jill Humphrey, and his third-place finish in the class that evening was the best performance by a U.S. entry thus far in the competition that would wrap up three days later.
But 90 minutes after the class ended at 9:30 p.m., the horse was dead.
Jill Humphrey and Chromatic get their third-place trophy at the World Cup finals.
The loss of Chromatic as jubilation dissolved into tears cast a pall over the first World Cup show jumping final presented in the Middle East.
A report on the necropsy performed at King Faisal University in Saudi Arabia included information that the horse had been treated at 10:41 p.m. with 4 milliliters of Legend, 5 of Adequan, 20 of Traumeel, 20 of arnica and 20 of Selevit, a selenium/vitamin combination.
At 10:44 p.m., Chromatic returned to his stall. A minute later, he began to stumble. Chromatic received dexamethasone at 10:48 p.m. He was pronounced dead at 10:59.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Equestrian Federation revised a statement about the situation that it had released on Monday.
“We have received the final necropsy report for Chromatic BF who passed away at the FEI World Cup Finals in April. The cause of the death was severe diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage and edema, which could be attributed to multiple causes, including disseminated intravascular coagulation (most commonly observed in severe sepsis and septic shock, according to the Medscape website); cardiopulmonary failure, shock, and exercise-associated fatal pulmonary hemorrhage. The report further indicates that the histopathologic findings raise the suspicion of fatal equine exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage, despite Chromatic BF not exhibiting any overt signs of such condition. According to the final report, the administered medications were not identified as the cause of death.”
Dr. Stephen Schumacher, USEF chief veterinary officer, indicated the necropsy report is not conclusive as to the cause of the hemorrhage and edema.
Branscomb noted there was “some really upsetting information” in the necropsy report.
“It’s significantly different than what I believed to be true, and potentially (has) much more extensive consequences.”
She said the manufacturer’s label on Selevit says it can “cause anaphylactic shock and sudden cardiac death in horses. You have to have corticosteroids and epinephrine standing by and it’s contraindicated to ever give it intravenously.
“It’s only given to horses documented for selenium deficiency, which my horse was not,” she mentioned.
“Now I’m finding out there was more and that I was not told the truth.”
Branscomb said that originally, “I had thought it was just an honest mistake and that everyone was being transparent and forthcoming and genuinely interested in both the truth and preventing it happening again. Now I’m not so sure about any of that.”
She believes the horse was killed by a “shock reaction to the IV injection of unecessary and risky medications, done without anyone on my team’s knowledge…more than 90 minutes after my horse performed perfectly and returned healthy and fit to the stables with his lifetime groom. That is my truth and I stand by it.”
Branscomb noted, “This is unbelievably upsetting and I don’t even know where to go with it. Thirty-five years of breeding, the first American-bred horse in 37 years to contest the World Cup final. He was the flagship of my breeding farm.”
The Californian explained, “I kept him the whole 13 years and developed him so we could show the world what American breeding could produce. He was doing the job and he would have podiumed. They robbed me of it and that’s not okay.”
In the wake of Chromatic’s death, she had worked with USEF to come up with the draft of a revised horse participation consent agreement that said “no substances will be administered to the horse unless the USEF-appointed veterinarian first obtains written consent from the athlete,” unless it’s an emergency situation.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 10, 2024
When was the last time you went to a show where there were smiles all around, with exhibitors who weren’t scrambling for points or fretting about trying to qualify for a bigger show?
For me, it was yesterday–at the Alumni Tournament of Champions, presented by Alumni Equestrian Events. The show at the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation in Gladstone, N.J., was open to hunt seat and western riders who had competed on their Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association teams. Competitors who ranged in age from 21 to their 60s rode horses drawn by lot, just the way it’s done in IHSA competition.
The 80 participants, who had attended a variety of schools including the Ivy League, state universities and small colleges, were thrilled not only to have a chance to compete, but also to enjoy riding while making new friends and spending time with those they rode with or against in the past. It’s particularly special for alumni who can’t afford to have their own horses, because it gives them a chance to ride and show without spending beyond their budgets.
Camaraderie is a big part of the Alumni Tournament of Champions. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
The Tournament of Champions has been held since 2012, but Alumni Equestrian Events is a new group, formed last year after IHSA decided not to offer competition for alumni anymore, maintaining the association needed to put all its focus on undergrads. AEE stages alumni competitions across the country from August through April.
“What’s been great is we’ve had people who had never been exposed to us before coming and saying, `Ohmigosh, I didn’t know I could ride all year long,’ ” said AEE Chairman Lena Andrews.
A number of IHSA coaches also dropped by the championship show to see what was going on.
AEE, which has more than 100 members, would like to see 50 percent growth in the next year. Judging by the enthusiasm level, that seems likely to happen.
Meggan Rusiewicz, winner of the Alumni Flat championship, is a fan of how the new group has handled the alumni desire to compete.
“I love it. I think it’s great what they’ve done with it. I’m really happy that they’ve been able to carry on the legacy that was alumni IHSA riding and I’m happy to be able to participate still,” said the 26-year-old chemical engineer, who was on the team at the University of Pittsburgh.
Meggan Rusiewicz, winner of the Alumni Flat class, with Lena Andrews, AEE chairman. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
IHSA was “the only way I was able to continue riding through college,” said Meggan, citing finances and the fact that her own 20-year-old horse was five hours away near Philadelphia.
“I hope I am able to continue doing this. It’s been really a blast and I enjoy it, especially the catch riding and all the great horses we’re able to have here today.”
Noting she was disappointed that IHSA dropped the alumni, she added, “I’m glad we were able to keep it going with this organization.”
AEE Treasurer Jessie Ann Green, a Hofstra University alum, was active in IHSA and a finalist in the prestigious IHSA Cacchione Cup competition as an undergrad. The special events coordinator of Desert Horse Park in California, she also worked for the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association.
Jessie, who flew up to New Jersey for the show from her summer home in Kentucky, feels, “It’s always special to be here at USET. I love this show, the horses are great, I always have a great time and see my friends and it’s always a special weekend for me every year. I can’t believe how many members we have this year and I can’t believe how much we’ve grown in just a short time and how many shows we’ve had. We’re only going to expand next year.”
Among the featured offerings at the show were the reunion classes, for non-members of AEE, and the Future Alumni Cup, for recent graduates who just officially took on alumni status.
Emily Yonkes, second in the Cup, is planning to join AEE. She called the show, “a blast. It was an immense experience for me.”
The 21-year-old, who last month got her diploma from Long Island University, is planning to join AEE in order to continue pursuing her favorite pastime and having the opportunity to show.
“Riding is a very expensive sport,” she explained.
“Being a student who is in an immense amount of debt, I still get to do the things I love while transitioning into the adult world.”
Emma Venanzi, 22.who won the Future Alumni Cup, rode on the University of Pittsburgh IHSA team and wants to join AEE.
Emma Venanzi competing in the Future Alumni class. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“It’s a great opportunity for young adults who are in that weird in-between to still be able to ride,” said Emma, who works at a psychiatric hospital as a therapist on a child and adolescent floor.
“The horses are my break,” she said, noting she bonded with so many people when she was on the IHSA team.
Her aunt, Blanton Goll, who is 10 years older and works in human resources, inspired her niece to become involved with IHSA.
For Blanton, a Westchester University grad, the alumni shows are “a great opportunity to get another chance to put on show clothes, if you don’t have your own competitive horse.”
The initials of Alumni Tournament of Champions spelled out in horse show ribbons against the backdrop of the USET Foundation stables. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
After three years at the USET Foundation, the 2025 show will be at Mt. Holyoke College in Massachusetts, which has its own riding program and horses, which means mounts won’t have to be rounded up from area stables as they were this year.
Tammy Cranouski, AEE national director, discussed the effort that keeps AEE operating.
It’s a sisterhood that “runs on the enthusiasm that we all have for alumni competitions; and to ensure it keeps going forward is amazing,” she said, noting “we just built upon what Bob Caccione started. (He was the founder of IHSA).
“We’re continuing that legacy and making sure it’s available for alumni riders on a go-forward basis. A lot of times, this is their only opportunity to ride and compete, they may not have horses at home, they may not be able to maintain that type of lifestyle. So they get to create wonderful friendships and enjoy themselves.”
Tammy, a Connecticut resident who attended Westfield State University, wound up as reserve national champion in western horsemanship.
The tournament started when Lena, one of the IHSA zone chairpeople, and her friend, Jamie Windle, another chairperson, wanted a show where their riders could compete against each other.
” It’s a lot of work. It’s been worth it 110 percent,” said Lena.
The trophies presented are memorable, and the winners get to take them home but must bring them back the next year.
Emma Venanzi and Lena Andrews with one of the organization’s many trophies. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“A lot of them are eBay finds,” Lena revealed, noting one is part of her old kitchen sink, sanded down and fitted with a silver cowboy boot for the western division.
“My dad made some of these pieces. Some of the trophies over the years were smaller and grew,” Lena said.
“We had to put bases on them. I love awards and ribbons and I want everything to look beautiful for everyone. It’s a passion of mine.”
And so are AEE and the Tournament. As Lena explained, ““I call it my labor of love.”
(For more information on the alumni opportunities, go to https://www.alumnitoc.com.)
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 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 | 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
