On the afternoon of August 4, 2024, during the HITS Vermont Summer Festival, attention turned to the Grand Prix Ring for the featured event of the day, the $30,000 FarmVet Grand Prix. With the beautiful mountains of Manchester, Vermont, as the backdrop, riders set out to challenge the track for the top prize. Ultimately, it was Christian Coyle (IRL) and Ma Pomme de Tamerville that added yet another victory to their impressive list of accolades.
Twenty horse-and-rider combinations contested the track set forth by Juan Alvarez of San Jose, Costa Rica. It proved to be a challenging one at that, as only four combinations advanced to the shortened course, two of which were Coyle’s. Coyle, first to go in the class and first to go in the jump-off, laid down a speedy time of 39.371 seconds with Ma Pomme de Tamerville that ultimately held up for the win.
“She’s been such a winner for me,” exclaimed Coyle. “She’s so fast and so careful. Every day out, she gives it her all. She knows exactly where her legs are. She can stay off the jumps, stretch and stay in the air, or rock back and jump. She’s brilliant.”
Coyle purchased the 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Deauville Van T L x Contendro II) a year and a half ago. Together, the pair has had great success through the three-star level, with their most recent grand prix victory coming in the $25,000 Saratoga Grand Prix, just six weeks ago.
“I thought the course was up to height,” admitted Coyle. “When I walked it, I knew there weren’t going to be many clear rounds; it was more of a jumping test. I think Juan did a great job.”
Coyle trains out of his own Christian Coyle Show Stables, which is based out of Sherman, Connecticut, and Brewster, New York, and is a frequent competitor during the Vermont Summer Festival.
“It’s such a fun show,” said Coyle of HITS Vermont. “We’ve been coming here for years. The grounds are beautiful, it’s laidback, and it suits all of our clients really well.”
Coyle also claimed third-place honors aboard McLain Ward’s 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding Chicago CM (San Patrignano Cassini x Carpaccio) after picking up four faults in a time of 42.226 seconds. Devin Ryan (USA) and his own 10-year-old KWPN mare (Big Star x Carolus H), Journey W, slotted between Coyle’s entries with the only other double-clear performance in 41.017 seconds for the runner-up ribbon.
Earlier in the week, Richard McGrath and Wynnwood Farm LLC’s 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Lupicor x Caprice), Dundee, jumped to the win in the $5,000 Horseflight Jumper Classic. In the $7,500 STX Open Speed, Coyle picked up another top placing, this time with Hotspot, Spring Ledge LLC’s 10-year-old KWPN gelding (Numero Uno x Carnute).
For a full list of results, please visit www.showmanagementsystem.com. Competition resumes Wednesday, August 7,with the Vermont Summer Celebration.
