Derry cousins among big winners on international circuit

Christian Coyle beat off the challenge of first cousin Daniel in not-so-sunny Florida to secure the €62,700 first prize in the weather affected Live Oak International Grand Prix on Sunday night.

LOI proved to be an excellent show for the Coyle crew from Derry, with Daniel having sampled success earlier in the week, as did the Olympian’s brother Jordan. Jordan also claimed a valuable development class over the road in Ocala at the World Equestrian Center with Keep Me With You NC, with Daniel and wonder mare Legacy back in fifth.

But in the feature four-star class at Live Oak, it was Christian who prevailed with another talented and extremely consistent mare, Alexis Bodo’s Extravaganza Semilly.

Six pairings made it through to the jump-off after navigating the 16 obstacles without fault in the initial 1.60m test. 

There were nine hurdles to clear in round two but only Christian Coyle and his 11-year-old bay managed to leave them all up and that was good enough to claim the lion’s share of the €190,000 prize fund.

“I was lucky enough to go just before the weather broke in round one and jumped clear,” said the Christian Coyle. “She gave a great effort (in the jump-off). I’ve always believed in this mare.”

Daniel praised the ground staff for producing an immaculate surface following the deluge that caused a delay in proceedings and while disappointed not to win, was satisfied to keep it in the family.

“When the weather broke today, I wasn’t sure it was going to be my day,” said Daniel. “At one point, it seemed impossible to jump. I walked into the arena a few times and thought, ‘This class can’t go.’ But I have to say, the arena was incredible. It was underwater, and an hour later, we were jumping again.

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“When I walked back in, I thought, ‘Now Farrel has a chance.’ I’m happy to have jumped clear in round one, and with just one down in the jump-off, well, if I can’t win, it might as well be another Coyle.”

The pair were actually the fastest combination in the tie-breaker, recording a lightning time of 44.02 seconds, but that one rail down meant that they had to settle for the runner-up berth on this occasion.

The duo had been victorious earlier, showcasing that pace once more when winning the 1.55m speed class on Friday night. They delivered with a clear round in 65.11 seconds, pipping Live Oak International co-president Chloe D Reid and Chelsea 179 by 0.16 of a second.

Ariel Grange’s 15-year-old gelding and his regular partner have been familiar figures in the winner’s circle at the World Equestrian Center in the past few weeks, so it came as no surprise that they would emerge successful once more at Live Oak.

It was a good double on the day for the Coyle siblings, as Daniel’s older brother Jorand landed a four-star 1.40m class earlier on with Jorisca.