DERRY’s Daniel Coyle continued his good run of form in America when winning a four-star class at the prestigious National Horse Show in Lexington, Kentucky last Friday night aboard Oak Grove’s Carlyle.

Thirty combinations started in what was the big class of the night, run as a two-phase. Brazil’s Guilherme Jorge built a track that requirement technical riding in the first phase and has scope for plenty of speed in the second phase. Only seven combinations managed to finish with a double clear.

Setting the pace with the first double clear effort was USA’s Kelli Cruciotti-Vanderveen with Springpaarden Fonds Nederland’s Forever SFN, who were the second pair into the arena. The duo set the standard at 31.53 seconds.

That time held strong until her compatriot Charlotte Jacobs took over the lead with the nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse Rincoola Milsean (Aldatus Z x Cruising), who was bred by the late Harold McGahern.

Jacobs splits her time between America and Ireland, where she trains with Greg Broderick at Ballypatrick Stables. She acquired the diminutive chesnut gelding from Jason Higgins just over a year ago and the pair have landed multiple international wins and placings.

Their time of 31.45 looked like it wouldn’t be beaten; the gelding so quick off the ground with tight inside turns and long galloping runs.

They were unbeatable until the very last horse-and-athlete combination entered the Alltech.

Daniel Coyle and Ariel Grange’s Oak Grove’s Carlyle claimed the second blue ribbon of at the week at the venue when shaving 0.27 of a second off Jacobs’ time. The 14-year-old Holsteiner made light work of the track, using his massive stride to cover the ground and breaking the beams in 31.18 to earn $12,200.

Shane Sweetnam was runner-up in Thursday’s four-star 1.50m jump-off with his top mount, Gizmo Partners LLC’s nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse James Kann Cruz (Kannan x Cruising), bred by Patrick Connolly in Co Galway.

The pair were among eight clears in the first round and one of only two to keep a clean sheet against the clock in 42.25 to collect $14,700. Victory went to USA’s Devin Ryan with Eddie Blue (0/0 41.48).

Bluman wins World Cup

Israel’s Daniel Bluman won the second leg of the Longines FEI World Cup North American League with Ladriano Z on Saturday evening.

Seven of the starting 35 made it through to the jump-off, where Bluman took a huge risk when turning tight back to the spooky wall at fence three, which ultimately saw him post the winning time of 35.13 seconds to take the top prize of $71,000.

“Jump number three was a difficult fence in the jump-off, because my horse looks at the wall,” he said. “My plan was not to take a big risk, but then I just did!”

USA’s Nicholas Dello Joio and Cornet’s Cambridge galloped furiously to the last fence to finish a close second in 35.47 seconds, with Hunter Holloway (USA) and Pepita Con Spita third (35.99).

Having also finished second in Washington, Bluman moved into second in the NAL standings with 37 points, behind Ireland’s Conor Swail who has 40 points after winning the first two legs.