Ireland is three for three this year at the Devon Horse Show with Thursday's victory in the CSI4* 1.55m $226,000 Sapphire Grand Prix going to another Irish Devon first-timer; Jordan Coyle. Coyle and Falkirk Farms, LLC’s For Gold (For Fashion x Heraldik xx) flew threw the timers in 37.45 seconds in the jump-off, and could not be caught.
While this is Coyle’s first Devon, the Irishman said, “It might be my first Devon, but it won’t be my last Devon. I plan to come from here on out, this show has what America is missing, the crowd, the atmosphere, it is amazing here.”
Lillie Keenan, riding for the USA, posted a time of 38.12 with Chansonette Farm’s Kick On (Warrior x Caretino Glory) to take second place honors on her way to receiving The Richard E. McDevitt Style Award for “the rider who exemplifies the best style of riding during the Grand Prix.” Keenan has been coming to Devon for 20 years, her first time was to find a pony, and the rest is history. A passionate horsewoman, Keenan believes “riding is an art as well as a sport,” and credits her parents, her mentor, Olympian McLain Ward (12-time Sapphire Devon Grand Prix winner), and her staff, grooms, flat rider, vets and farriers for making successes across continents possible.
Third place went to Mark Bluman, riding for Columbia, and Over The Top Stables, LLC’s Ubiluc (Ubiko x Lucian) who stopped the clock at 38.67 seconds over course designer, Alan Wade’s 8-effort jump-off.