THE long-awaited ESP June Spring Series officially kicked off last week at Palm Beach International Equestrian Centre in Wellington, Florida, where Limerick’s Paul O’Shea won the feature $24,999 HorseLinc Grand Prix on Sunday.

Taking place on the big Derby field at the venue, 59 competitors went to post in the class and 13 of those delivered a clear first round. Against the clock, just five managed to keep a clean sheet and O’Shea delivered the fastest time when breaking the beam in 44.72 seconds aboard Eye Candy Jumpers’ Squirt Gun.

Speaking afterwards, he said: “The field was fantastic. After all those rounds, the footing was still perfect. It’s actually incredibe to get to jump out here. The horses always learn a lot out here because there’s just so much to look at. So, it’s a great opportunity.”

O’Shea and his team will continue competing in Wellington next week and then travel North: “After next week we’ll go up to Kentucky for Split Rock and then Tryon for the summer. That’s the plan at the moment. We’re certainly glad to be back competing again.”

Safety measures at the venue include temperature check on the way in, everyone must wear a mask – mounted riders do not need to wear one but must put one on as soon as they dismount.

Coyle hat-trick

Derry’s Jordan Coyle scored a hat-trick of wins at Week I of the Spring Spectacular Series at HITS Chicago, held at Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois. He won Thursday’s $5,000 Jumper Classic aboard Ariso in a time of 42.335 seconds.

On Saturday afternoon, Coyle claimed his second feature class title when winning the $10,000 Open Jumper Prix aboard Warnike in 31.42 seconds, before completing a hat-trick with a one-two finish in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix on Sunday.

Coyle and Elan Farm’s 10-year-old mare Warnike were the first to return for the jump-off and crossed the timers in a blazing 37.94 seconds and never relinquished the lead, before finishing runner-up with Ariso.