DERRY’s Daniel Coyle was crowned the Leading International Rider at the four-star World Cup show in Lexington, Kentucky, after landing two victories and a runner-up finish on his Irish Sport Horse mare CHS Krooze.

It was Co Clare’s David Blake however, who took centre stage at the best of the Irish in Saturday night’s $225,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup qualifier when placing third and gaining valuable points towards qualifying for the 2020 World Cup Final in Las Vegas.

Riding the Pine Hollow Farm-owned 10-year-old gelding Keoki, Blake was one of eight riders who jumped clear in the first round to make it into the jump-off. A second clear round against the clock in a time of 36.87 seconds saw them collect almost $34,000.

The pair have produced several double clear rounds at the top level over the last few months, including the recent five-star Grand Prix in Tryon.

Second last to go in the jump-off, victory eventually went to 18-year-old American rider Brain Moggre riding MTM Vivre Le Reve (0/0 34.22), who is the youngest ever winner of the class at the Lexington venue. After recording his first World Cup victory at the end of last season in Ocala, Moggre is out to earn his first trip to the finals.

“That moment for me was something that I never expected to feel, especially in this year and where I am in my career,” Moggre said afterwards. “That horse is so special to me and has taken me through all of the ranks. I won my first FEI Grand Prix with him at Live Oak in the spring, another World Cup class, so to be able to win that and the four-star this week was not even in my imagination. He was really on his game today and luckily I was on mine. It was awesome.”

This victory moved him into second in the east coast sub league standings of the North American League, behind only two-time World Cup final champion Beezie Madden. Japan’s Karen Polle finished second with Kino, clear in 34.44 seconds.

Surprisingly, Lexington was Blake’s first indoor show in America. Speaking afterwards, he was thrilled with Keoki, who was produced in England by David Simpson before being sold to Pine Hallow Farm.

“It is my first indoor in the USA and his first indoor ever so I didn’t fancy that the atmosphere was big enough when we went in because Karen [Polle] was right before and she was clear so that got him on his toes a little bit. I really enjoyed it. I would like to thank the sponsors and the organisers, because I just got in on the last minute so it was worth the trip,” Blake said.

Daniel Coyle drove home from Lexington in a brand new Audi Q7 on a one-year lease after being crowned the leading international rider.

The award came thanks to two victories and a runner-up finish aboard the nine-year-old Kroongraaf-sired mare CHS Krooze. Bred by Vincent O’Callaghan in Co Clare, she was produced in Ireland by Peter Smyth before joining Coyle in America at the beginning of the year.

They won Thursday’s 1.45m class before racing to another victory in Saturday’s 1.45m $36,000 EquiJet Accumulator with the top points of 65 in 46.16 seconds. America’s Lillie Keenan was the runner-up with Agana van het Gerendal (65/ 48.40), ahead of Ireland’s Conor Swail and Gamble (65/ 48.63).

“She is actually my own horse and she has been incredibly consistent all year, but every show I show her in she gets better, as she has proven here. She has been second once and first twice and only jumped three classes, so that is pretty incredible! She still impresses me every time I go in the ring so I am delighted with her.”

Speaking afterwards, Coyle said: “I got her at the start of the Florida season last year and started riding her myself. She has been great from the word ‘go’.

“It has been a little bit of me getting to know her, more than her getting to know me, but I think now both of us have clicked and know each other really well. That is probably why we have become so consistent.

“This is my first time here and the show has been great. It is a good atmosphere and a real indoor-type atmosphere that you don’t get in too many places over here [in America]. I really like the show and I will definitely come back,” he added.

Darragh Kenny won Wednesday’s $36,000 Welcome Speed Stake while in Halloween fancy dress aboard Vlock Show Stables’ nine-year-old gelding Billy Dorito, clear in a time of 53.74 seconds to win $11,880.

Coyle was just 0.06 of a second slower that Kenny to take the runner-up spot with CHS Krooze (0/ 53.80).

Babington fundraiser

OVER the course of the week in Lexington, the “Bid for Kevin” fundraiser allowed for the equestrian community to participate in raising funds to benefit Irish rider Kevin Babington in his recovery from serious injuries sustained in a fall in September.

Individuals were able to bid on riders competing in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup for a chance to win lessons with some of the sport’s greatest athletes. Whoever “bought” the victorious rider – in this case, Brian Moggre – received five private lessons with Beezie Madden, Shane Sweetnam, Kent Farrington, McLain Ward and Margie Engle.

Surpassing the goal of $75,000, the funds raised amounted to an incredible $87,245.