Jordan Coyle and Keep Me With You N.c. Strike Gold in $125,000 IDA Development Grand Prix
The $125,000 IDA Development Grand Prix was the highlight event of the week and brought a change of scenery at World Equestrian Center – Ocala, as 30 horse-and-rider combinations gathered under the lights at the WEC Stadium to vie for the win. In a thrilling five-horse jump-off, it was Ireland’s Jordan Coyle who took the celebratory victory ahead of the holiday with Falkirk Farm, LLC’s Keep Me With You N.c. (Le Tot De Semilly x Zarina).
Eric Hasbrouck (USA) set the track for Saturday night’s event, and only five top combinations managed to jump clear and stay within the time allowed. Three of those pairs hailed from Ireland, with the others representing Australia and the United States.
Robert Blanchette (IRL) was first to return for the jump-off with Ridersmith LLC’s speedy mare Chardonnay. The pair were quick but had an unlucky rail, setting the pace at 39.030 seconds on four faults.
Lauren Balcomb (AUS) followed with Verdini D’houtveld Z (Verdi TN x Laska III). Balcomb and the 14-year-old Zangersheide gelding returned under the lights in top form, laying down a lightning-fast jump-off in just 39.178 seconds to take the lead.
Olympian Daniel Coyle (IRL) was next in with the well-known Legacy, owned by Ariel Grange. They were quick in 40.310 seconds but had an unlucky rail at the combination.
Coyle’s brother, Jordan Coyle, followed and knew his 10-year-old KWPN mare had the speed to get the job done. “I didn’t have much of a plan, really. The plan was to jump clear,” he laughed. “I didn’t really feel like I had to let her go in the jump-off. She’s just that fast, and you can turn her into the jumps, and she isn’t going to touch them, so that’s a big bonus when you know that.”
In just 38.562 seconds, Coyle and Keep Me With You N.c. snatched the lead from Balcomb — a time that would ultimately prove unbeatable.
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