Young Horses Take Wellington Spot Light

Daniel Coyle and Farona (Photo: Sportfot)

Wellington, FL - The young horses of the 2017 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) got their opportunity to compete on the main stage on Friday, as the Five-Year-Old, Six-Year-Old and Seven-Year-Old Developing Jumper Classics were featured in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL.

Daniel Coyle (IRL) and Farona won the $20,000 Spy Coast Farm Seven-Year-Old Developing Jumper Classic, Andrew Kocher (USA) and G Star were victorious in the $15,000 Spy Coast Farm Six-Year-Old Developing Jumper Classic. Coyle also rode Khaleesi to top honors in the $10,000 Gut Einhaus Five-Year-Old Developing Jumper Classic.

The 12-week WEF circuit concludes with CSI 4* competition, sponsored by The Wanderer's Club, running March 29 through April 2, 2017. The week's highlights include the $216,000 The Wanderer's Club Grand Prix CSI 4*, the $50,000 Hollow Creek Farm Under 25 Grand Prix Series Final, and the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. Feature events can be viewed live HERE.

Olaf Petersen, Jr. (GER) set the courses for the Developing Jumper Classics. In the $20,000 Spy Coast Farm Seven-Year-Old Developing Jumper Classic, Petersen saw 58 entries and 19 clear rounds to jump-off. Nine entries also jumped clear over the short course. It was Daniel Coyle's time of 38.46 seconds that took the win riding Farona for Ariel and Susan Grange. Mario Deslauriers (USA) and Lisa Deslauriers' Cooper Royal finished a very close second in 38.47 seconds. Ramiro Quintana (ARG) and Auer Sport Horses' Ceitasi placed third in 38.98 seconds.

Daniel Coyle and Farona in their winning presentation with owner Susan Grange, Lisa Lourie of Spy Coast Farm, and ringmaster Steve Rector. (Photo: Sportfot)

"Farona is a star!" Coyle said of the winning Dutch Warmblood mare (by Baltic VDL) bred by NHG Broeders. "We bought her at the [WEF Sport Horse] VDL Auction here last year, and ever since the day we bought her, she has been amazing. She went to Spruce Meadows last summer and won I don't even know how many classes. She won the six-year-olds at Angelstone, then came down here and did a few 1.40m classes. She won a couple of seven-year-old classes here this winter. She has done so much.

"We were aiming her to win this class," Coyle continued. "She is that type. You can really go to win. She has a lot of blood. She can be a little frustrating sometimes because she has so much blood, but she jumps so great you have to forget about it. I am so happy that [owner] Sue [Grange] found her. Sue is wonderful at finding young horses."

Speaking of his jump-off, Coyle stated, "She is naturally very fast. Mario was very close to beating me, but thankfully he did not. If you ride her right, she is not going to knock a jump down. She is very special. I think she will turn out to be one of the best horses we have. She is one of those horses, whenever you are just hoping it all goes right, she is the one that you can always count on."

Competition continues on Saturday at PBIEC featuring the $216,000 The Wanderer's Club Grand Prix CSI 4* during Saturday Night Lights, round one of the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby on the Derby Field at the Equestrian Village (AGDF show grounds), and champion presentations in the Junior Hunter divisions. For full results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Final Results: $20,000 Spy Coast Farm Seven-Year-Old Developing Jumper Classic
1. FARONA DANIEL COYLE (IRL) ARIEL AND SUSAN GRANGE: 0/0/38.462
2. COOPER ROYAL MARIO DESLAURIERS (USA) LISA DESLAURIERS: 0/0/38.479
3. CEITASI RAMIRO QUINTANA (ARG) AUER SPORT HORSES LLC: 0/0/38.986
4. PASSIONEQ FEYON GEMMA L. PATERNOSTER (GBR) PARLANTI USA HORSES: 0/0/39.310
5. BON VIVANT MCKAYLA LANGMEIER (USA) LINDA LANGMEIER: 0/0/40.821
6. CARIBI LS LUIS LARRAZABAL (VEN) CLUB HIPICO LA SILLA: 0/0/41.013
7. FELLINI S ALBERTO MICHAN (MEX) ILAN FERDER: 0/0/41.628
8. FERNANDO MICHAEL HUTCHINSON (IRL) CANDY TRIBBLE: 0/0/41.747
9. S&L ROCKY DARRAGH KERINS (IRL) S&L FARMS: 0/0/42.514
10. L'ODYSSEE THOMAS CERRA (USA) REBECCA LANNOYE: 0/4/40.559
11. STAKKERO P COURTNEY BOYD (USA) CYNTHIA NIELSEN: 0/4/40.838
12. QUINTIN DANIEL COYLE (IRL) ARIEL AND SUSAN GRANGE: 0/4/41.564