Daniel Coyle of Ireland won the $35,500 CSI2* Grand Prix, presented by Horseware Ireland, during the CSI2* Caledon National tournament on Sunday, May 20, at the Caledon Equestrian Park in Caledon, ON.
Brazilian course designer Anderson Lima set a tight track that yielded a total of nine clear rounds after the time allowed was adjusted from 79 to 81 seconds. As the third rider back to challenge the shortened jump-off course, Canadian Olympian Beth Underhill of Schomberg, ON, guided Count Me In to a clear round in a time of 33.97 seconds. The lead changed hands when Coyle was able to better Underhill’s time, stopping the clock in 33.92 to move to the top of the leaderboard with Farona. As the final competitor, Erynn Ballard of Tottenham, ON, came close with Edison P, but her time of 34.19 seconds left her third behind Coyle and Underhill.
“Farona is only eight but she’s very fast,” said Coyle of the Dutch Warmblood mare (Baltic VDL x Lux). “I knew Beth was fast, so I tried to be as efficient as I could. Thankfully, it was just enough in the end. Farona has been amazing since we got her as a six-year-old and I’m excited for what’s to come with her. I’m very proud of her today.”