WELLINGTON, Fla.--Ireland’s Jordan Coyle on For Gold won the $116,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 9 on Thursday, March 7 over a list of eight in the jump-off during the Winter Equestrian Festival .

Jordan Coylle on For Gold (Photo by Sportfot)After a podium finish in the week 5 five-star on For Gold, Coyle rode the13-year-old Holsteiner gelding to win this week’s grand prix qualifier with seconds to spare.

Over tracks built by course designer Alan Wade of Ireland, 31-year-old Coyle beat the previous leader Kendra Claricia Brinkop of Germany in a winning time of 36.29 seconds.

Brinkop was second in her debut week at WEF riding In Time to finish clean in 38.34 seconds, and Irish Olympian Cian O’Connor was third on Fancy de Kergane in 39.32 seconds.

“It doesn't feel that fast, but he’s so naturally quick now,” said Coyle of the gelding he added to his string one year ago. “He started off quite a slow horse, but not anymore."

“I have to thank For Gold’s home rider Dermott Lennon for that,” said Coyle. “Since he started with the horse, he has turned inside out; he's just a completely different horse in four or five months. Without Dermott Lennon, I would never have got the horse to this stage.”

 

“I WON MY first five-star grand prix when Alan was building, and I think he's one of the only course builders that, if you look down the score card, there's 90% four-faulters," said Coyle. "Alan's the best in my opinion.”

“It was always a dream to have a horse like this, and literally it was only a dream until my wife Kim bought him, so I have to thank her for that,” he said.

The day started with Cathleen Driscoll winning the $32,000, CSI5* 1.45m on Flotylla.

Kristen Vanderveen finished second on Bull Run’s Hesed, and Laura Kraut was third on Calgary Tame.

Lacey Gilbertson won the $32,000, CSI2* 1.45m Qualifier on LouLou MPSZ.

Beezie Madden  finished second on Hummer Z, and Great Britain’s Jessica Mendoza was third on Summerhouse.