Coyle Triumphs in the Friends of the Meadows 1.50m
The Friends of the Meadows 1.50m competition got the ball rolling on the International Ring on Thursday morning during the ‘North American’ Tournament at Spruce Meadows. Ten horse/rider combinations jumped the first round clear, qualifying for the jump-off over FEI course designer Santiago Varela’s track.
Jordan Coyle (IRL) has had a fantastic summer at Spruce Meadows, securing his fifth victory of the season at the Calgary venue. This time he added to his resume of five-star victories when crossing the finish line clear in a time of 40.35 seconds aboard King Kannan GP ahead of Kyle King (USA), who also had a big day (see below) and Conor Swail (IRL). Canadian Kara Chad had one of just four jump-off clear rounds with Corinna Z to finish 4th.
Friends of the Meadows 1.50m
1. Jordan Coyle (IRL) & King Kannan GP
2. Kyle King (USA) & SIG Chiari
3. Conor Swail (IRL) & Qoreen Van’t Ruytershof
4. Kara Chad (CAN) & Corinna Z
5. Daniel Coyle (IRL) & Farrel
Kyle King (USA) and Kayenne Z. (Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley)
King finishes first and third in the Jayman BUILT Cup
Thursday afternoon’s Jayman BUILT Cup saw 40 competitors step through the Clock Tower. As the lone qualifier for the weekend’s $1,000,000 ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup on Saturday, athletes hoping to compete for the healthy purse need to complete today’s course with at least one horse.
Nine athletes advanced to the jump-off, but today’s victory belonged to Kyle King of the US riding his mare Kayenne Z. King has been competing at Spruce Meadows since he was 16 years old and now brings not only a strong string of horses for himself, but a keen group of students hoping to build their own exciting Spruce Meadows stories.
“Horses grow here,” said King. “The first class I did with her [Kayenne Z] I thought I was going to be all cool to that first little jump, and we had a miscommunication. She stopped, I almost fell off. It was actually blessing in disguise. That was the only bobble she’s had all season, but it made me realize I need to put my leg on out there in that ring!”
Jayman BUILT Cup
1. Kyle King (USA) & Kayenne Z
2. Matthew Sampson (GBR) & Ebolensky
3. Kyle King (USA) & Odysseus
4. Darragh Kenny (IRL) & Zero K
5. Sameh el Dahan (GBR) & Oscar-A
For full results click here.
Livestream info here.
~ with files from Spruce Meadows media