KILKENNY’s Michael Hutchinson landed victory in the CSI3* Open Classic at International Bromont in Canada last Friday aboard Nektarina B. Hutchinson beat of the challenge from America’s Leslie Howard and Donna Speciale.

Out of the original starters, five proceeded to Leopoldo Palacios jump-off course. The course asked a few questions and in particular, the last line of the course, back to the entrance gate with a triple combination followed by a narrow vertical in front of the stone caught out a few combinations.

Riding Casino, Ali Ramsay executed a double clear in a time of 43.44 seconds for eventual fourth. Second in the ring, Leslie Burr Howard and Donna Speciale lowered the time to beat to 41.68 seconds.

Alberto Michan and El Pacho put in a gallant attempt but failed to take the lead and instead finished third. Hutchinson kept the pressure on aboard the 14-year-old mare, who is owned by Candy Tribble, and lodged the winning round in 41.22 seconds.

A native of Ballyquirke Stud, Hutchinson rides for Jonathan and Christine McCrea’s Windsor Show Stables in the US, splitting time between Florida and Connecticut. He rode Nektarina B as a young horse when he worked for Marion Hughes and Miguel Bravo in Ireland and Dubai.

Coyle runner-up in Grand Prix

On Sunday, Daniel Coyle narrowly missed out on a win in the $105,600 CAD Grand Prix, when he finished behind Canadian Ali Ramsay and Lutz in an exciting six way- jump off.

The first two combinations against the clock, Christine McCrea (Dali de Vy) and Keean White (Tahiorn) both incurred eight faults. Daniel Coyle and his own Irish Sport Horse CHS Krooze put pressure on as they delivered a clear round in the fastest time. However, Coyle’s lead held only temporarily as Ali Ramsay and Lutz lowered the target by a few tenths of a second.

On Thursday in the $36,100 CAD Open Welcome, Jonathan Corrigan and Audi’s Dimple took fourth place ahead of Daniel Coyle who took fifth place with Farell.