It was another win to add to the resume for 22 year-old, Daniel Coyle (IRL) aboard the Canadian owned Irish Sport Horse gelding, Ridley.
The WIPRO U25 Winning Round had an entry of 17 talented rising stars, all of whom are under the age of 25, who challenged the two round competition set by course designer Guilherme Jorge (BRA). The top 10 horse/rider combinations returned in reverse order of merit for the shortened winning round course. Following Coyle to the podium was Juan Jose Zendejas Salgado (MEX) with his stunning grey gelding Tino La Chapelle. Zendejas advanced to the winning round with the best score and the advantage of going last in the competition. Unfortunately for Juan, his 10 year-old Selle Francais gelding crossed the finish line behind Coyle and Ridley, by the slightest of margins, (0.14 seconds) to finish second.
Newcomer to the Spruce Meadows circuit Nicole Walker of Ontario, Canada made her presence known in the International ring with an impressive third-place finish in the WIPRO U25 with her mount Falco Van Spieveld, a 12 year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding.
The athletes competing in the U25 series at Spruce Meadows have really taken a shine to the concept. Especially for many who are having their first experiences in the famed Spruce Meadows International Ring. In 2016 Daniel Coyle made great some great strides in his career competing in this series and had great things to say about the series. Following his win he commented, “It’s a great series to help find your way, especially for the younger riders, I know there are a few at the age of 17 and 18 who get the chance to get a feel for the best level when you don’t necessarily have to jump against best riders in the world like Eric Lamaze and McLain Ward – So I think it’s really a great competition.”
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