Coyle is delighted to mark his return from serious injury with stunning USA triumph
WHEN Londonderry showjumper Jordan Coyle was seriously injured in a fall from a horse near his home before the Dublin Show and spent time in intensive care, no one thought he would return to the saddle this year never mind win an international.
But steely determination and mind over matter saw Coyle return to compete in the USA this week and win at Tryon, North Carolina to claim the $30,000 (£23,000) American Standard Grand Prix with Elan Farm’s horse, Essenar Crixus, from 47 starters.
Coyle and Crixus stopped the clock in 36.89 seconds in a 13-horse jump-off to beat US rider Kristen Vanderveen on Bull Run’s Almighty’s time of 38.6 seconds, with Saintfield’s Conor Swail, on Gamble, jumping into third place in 38.96 seconds.
Coyle said: “This is my first real horse show with Crixus. He’s still a bit green so this class was perfect for him. We have big plans for him.”
Coyle joined his brother Daniel in Tryon on their first visit to the venue which hosted last year’s World Championships.
He said: “Everything is amazing, both of us can’t believe we haven’t been here before.
“I am just coming back from injury so I’m only going to do three weeks of shows, then go home and recover properly for the Florida circuit.”
Both Coyle brothers are prolific winners on the North American circuit, and Jordan had flown back home for the Dublin Show when the accident happened near his home as he was schooling a young horse which tripped.
Based at North Salem, New York, he and Daniel ride for separate owners, including their own horses, and Tryon was their first outing together. During the summer, Daniel had flown to be at Jordan’s bedside.
It is also a huge week for Derry-born David Simpson.
The leading showjumper at the recent Horse of the Year Show contests the Oslo World Cup five-star event in Norway with Gentleman VH Veldhof.
Denis Lynch and Eoin McMahon also jump in the World Cup, while Templepatrick horsewoman Joanne Sloan Allen will compete in the two-star with Amigo Cascada M and Colour Girl.
Lisburn maths teacher Clare Abbott, Banbridge rider Susannah Berry and Scarva pharmacist Suzanne Hagan are part of the Irish teams in Le Lion d’Angers, France for the World Championships for young eventers.
Ireland is sending a serious squad including Cathal Daniels, Brian Morrison, Elizabeth Power, Louise Bloomer, Daniel Brown, Sian Coleman, Eva Melly and Camilla Speirs.