Coyle and Soleau-Millar win big to kick off 2018 season at Caledon Equestrian Park in style

Ireland’s Daniel Coyle racked up three big wins at the Caledon National CSI2* to kick off the 2018 season at Caledon Equestrian Park last week (May 16-20).

Coyle capped off his impressive week winning the $35,500 CSI2* Grand Prix, presented by Horseware, on Sunday (May 20) while riding Farona, owned by Ariel Grange.

Kelly Nicholls of Horsware and daughter Jillian Nicholls presenting Daniel Coyle and Farona with the awards for their win of the $35,500 FEI Grand Prix presented by Horseware. PC: Ben Radvanyi Photography

The pair bested a started a field of 21, with nine going clear in the first round. Beth Underhill and Count Me In placed second in the class, with Erynn Ballard and EDISON P rounding out the top three.

Coyle, this time riding Grange mount Ridley, also placed second to Rockwood, Ontario’s Keean White and Equus Investments’ Tahiorn just one class earlier on Sunday in the $20,000 1.35m- 1.40m Jumper Stake presented by Antares.

Keean White and Equus Investments’ Tahiorn being presented with the winning award by Anne Birkhoff of Antares Sellier for the $20,000 Jumper Stake presented by Antares.

A day earlier, Saturday’s action saw Coyle and Grange’s Tienna take home top prize in the $35,500 FEI Table A Speed event, presented by RAM Equestrian.

In that class, it was White and Charming Force B who would place second to Coyle, with Bonzay and Jonathon Millar placing third.

Coyle’s first big win of the week came on Friday (May 18) in the $10,000 National 1.40m Open Jumper, presented by Champion Shavings. This time Coyle rode Affelay Z, another Grange mount, to victory past a starting field of 34. Ballard and JOBLESSE and Bhaskar DasGupta and Zinesse placed second and third, respectively.

Daniel Coyle aboard Affelay Z pictured here with Thomas Harbom of Champion Shavings making the presentation of awards for the $10,000 National 1.40m Open Jumper

presented by Champion Shavings. PC: Ben Radvanyi Photography

The action in Grand Prix Ring, overseen all week by Brazilian course design Anderson Lima, got rolling in earnest on Thursday, with Kelly Soleau-Millar and Itty Bitty taking home the red ribbon in the $35,500 FEI Open Welcome.

Kelly Soleau-Millar and Itty Bitty negotiating the $35,500 FEI Open Welcome course

Thursday, May 17. PC: Ben Radvanyi Photography

Ballard, who hails from Tottemham, Ontario, claimed her first of three top-three finishes on the week by placing second in the Open Welcome, with Coyle adding yet another top-three result to his big-money week.

The jumper rings also saw Ride Every Stride Inc. sponsoring several Young Horse series qualifiers. Konic PB and Luis Fernando Saenz claimed top prize in the 5-year-old division, with Stakkadera and Sarah Johnstone winning the 6-year old’s and Bonita VH Keizershof Z and Ali Ramsay claiming top prize the 7-year old’s.

Konic PB and Luis Fernando Saenz (top left), Stakkadera and Sarah Johnstone (top right) and Bonita VH Keizershof Z and Ali Ramsay (Bottom Centre) winning the 5, 6 and 7 year olds respectively, all presented by Ride Every Stride Inc. PC: Ben Radvanyi Photography

Last week was the first week of outdoor show-jumping action at Caledon Equestrian Park (CEP).

Thanks to a monumental effort by CEP staff, the week’s events went off without a hitch after Mother Nature pushed the season’s start back by a week, forcing the cancellation Classic @ Palgrave Phase 1 between May 9-13.

A wind storm on May 4 caused serious damage to park infrastructure, but thanks to grounds staff, suppliers and the help and support of many others, the delayed start to the 2018 season was a great success.

Coming up May 23-27 at CEP will be the Classic @ Palgrave Phase 2 CSI2*, followed by the Spring Jubilee Dressage show running June 1-3. The Spring Jubilee is a new event on the 2018 CEP schedule.

Also new this year is Date Night at the Park. Grab your lawn chairs, blankets and snacks and head to the park to enjoy a cinematic experience in a unique setting. Admission is $2 per person, and the event will run between 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. on May 22, July 3, July 31 and Aug. 7.