The $32,000 Hermès CSI3* 1.50m Classic shifted to the grass derby field at Equestrian Village for week two of the Winter Equestrian Festival. Forty-three competitors took to Olaf Petersen Jr’s course, with nine returning for the short track.
Of the return contenders, it was Ireland’s Jordan Coyle, and For Gold (For Fashion x Heraldik, breeder: Georg Clausen), owned by Falkirk Farm, LLC, who took the win. Fellow Irishman, Cian O’Connor, who ended up third, set a fast pace for Coyle to follow, completing the short track in 42.75 seconds with his mount Kilkenny (Cardento 933 x Guidam), owned by Susan Magnier.
Although Coyle didn’t have the win in mind today, he managed to knock nearly a second off O’Connor’s time, winning with a blazing 41.97 seconds. “This was his [For Gold’s] first show since November,” mentioned Coyle of the thirteen-year-old gelding. “My plan wasn’t to go crazy fast, as this is his first show back, but we did end up picking up a pretty quick pace. Each jump came up with that rhythm; he’s so talented, it all came together.”
Alison Robitaille eventually placed second aboard Ester de Maugre (Vigo Cece x Ogano Sitte, breeder: Nicolas Normand) while Cian O'Connor completed the stage with Kilkenny (VDL Cardento x Guidam, breeder: Ita Brennan).