Jordan Coyle Finds Success in America with WEF Challenge Cup Victory Aboard Eristov

Jordan Coyle and Eristov
Jordan Coyle and Eristov

Wellington, Fla. – Jan. 11, 2018 – Jordan Coyle, 24, of Ireland followed his younger brother Daniel to Wellington, Florida, in 2017 and loved it so much that he never left. In his first week competing at the 2018 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), Coyle picked up one of his biggest American wins to date, beating his brother and claiming the victory in the $35,000 Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup Round 1 aboard Andrew Kocher’s Eristov during the first of 12 weeks of competition at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.

Jordan Coyle and Eristov claim the $35,000 Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup Round 1
Jordan Coyle and Eristov claim the $35,000 Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup Round 1

Thirty-five riders challenged Eric Hasbrouck’s course over 13 obstacles with 11 finishing clear and 10 horse-and-rider combinations electing to jump-off. Coyle and the 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding were quick and careful over the fences to finish with a clear round and jump-off time of 37.662 seconds. The pair partnered together in October 2017 with Eristov recently returning to the show ring and tackling 1.45m fences for the first time.

Todd Minikus and Victorio 5
Todd Minikus and Victorio 5

Todd Minikus of the United States followed just behind Coyle in a time of 37.999 seconds, riding Plain Bay Sales’ 12-year-old Hanoverian stallion, Victorio 5, to second place.

Emily Mason and Explosion W
Emily Mason and Explosion W

Great Britain’s Emily Mason claimed third place on Explosion W, owned by Poden Farms, with a time of 39.008 seconds. Mason and the 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding recently partnered over the summer where they showed internationally throughout the year.

Show jumping competition will continue in the International Arena at 8 a.m. on Friday with the Amateur-Owner High Jumpers.WEF Week One will highlight further jumper competition with the $75,000 Battle of the Sexes on Saturday, Jan. 13, at 7 p.m. and the $75,000 Rosenbaum PLLC Grand Prix on Sunday, Jan. 14, at 2 p.m.

FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

Jordan Coyle – $35,000 Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup Round 1 winner

On Eristov:
“Andy Kocher gave me this one just after Harrisburg, and this is his first week showing in a long time. He hasn’t shown much in America. He is an unbelievable horse. We jumped four classes this week and he was clear in every class.”

On Thursday’s course:
“In the first round I had no idea [what my plan was]. Eristov has never jumped a class this big before. After the first round, I was just happy with that. It was one of those rounds where everything just worked out. It wasn’t an easy jump-off, but it suited him because he’s got such a great jump and a big step. We were able to leave out a stride in the first line and again in the last line. This is what makes me think he’s such a special horse. He’s the only horse I’ve ever had that gives you total belief he’s not going to knock the jump down. That’s something I’ve never had before.”

On winning at WEF:
“It’s brilliant! I came last year on holiday to see Daniel and I haven’t been home since.”

RESULTS

$35,000 Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup Round 1
Place / Horse / Rider / R1 Faults | Time / R2 Faults | Time
1. Eristov / Jordan Coyle / 0 | 77.11 / 0 | 37.662
2. Victorio 5 / Todd Minikus / 0 | 77.98 / 0 | 37.999
3. Explosion W / Emily Mason / 0 | 72.116 / 0 | 39.008
4. Seringat / Geir Gulliksen / 0 | 77.962 / 0 | 41.909
5. Heliante Ter Wilgen / Hector Florentino / 0 | 77.341 / 0 | 42.547
6. Bockmanns Lazio / Margie Engle / 0 | 78.966 / 4 | 38.497
7. Amice Z / Charlie Jayne / 0 | 79.235 / 4 | 43.868
8. Zerro Leone / Martien Van Der Hoeven / 0 | 79.33 / 8 | 40.144
9. Bull Run’s Almighty / Kristen Vanderveen / 0 | 77.809 / 8 | 40.722
10. Bijoux / Diego Vivero / 0 | 77.352 / 12 | 36.739
11. Nougat Du Vallet / Katherine Dinan / 0 | 77.671
12. Chicago Hof Eversem Z / Mattias Tromp / 2 | 81.015

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