Lynch, riding the 11-year-old KWPN mare Katja, produced a fast, faultless round to win the CSI2* 1.45m Big Tour class. The combination stopped the clock in 58.15 seconds.

The 50-year-old, aboard the eight-year-old Westphalian stallion Cornet Gold, also claimed the CSI1* 1.35m class against the clock.

With a super-fast and smooth round over the jumps, they stopped the clock at 67.27 seconds – a dominant performance that any other combination couldn’t match.

Lynch, who remains a fixture at the highest level of international show jumping, now boasts more than 4,700 international starts and 223 career victories.

The post Two Wins For Denis Lynch in The Netherlands appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Coyle and Uruville Z were one of 10 combinations to make it through to the second round of the Kubota Cup 1.50m in the International Ring.

Scores from the opening round were not carried forward, giving all qualified athletes a clean slate heading into the deciding round.

Irish rider Daniel Coyle rode to victory with Uruville Z as the pair delivered a blistering performance in the winning round, as they crossed the finish line in a time of 48.90 seconds to secure the top spot on the podium.

Coyle and Uruville Z finished a full second ahead of the runner-up combination of Kyle King (CAN) and Replay Touch V/D Stapelheyde, who stopped the clock in 49.91 seconds.

Another Irish combination, Conor Swail with Casturano, took third.

Top 10 Kubota Cup 1.50m

1. Daniel Coyle (IRL) & Urville Z
2. Kyle King (CAN) & Replay Touch V/D Stapelheyde
3. Conor Swail (IRL) & Casturano
4. Katie Laurier (NZL) & ZF Chacco Rio
5. Richard Vogel (GER) & Phenyo Van Hey Keysersbos
6. Mark Bluman (ISR) & Inside of My Heart
7. Eugenio Garza Perez (MEX) & Victer Finn DH Z
8. McKayla Langmeier (USA) & Isidore de Chalusse
9. Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) & Diaroubet
10. Hilary Scott (AUS) & Lola

Runner-up in QE II Cup

The defending champion Daniel Coyle had to settle for the runner-up position this year in the $1,000,000 ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup 1.60m at Spruce Meadows on Saturday.

A maximum field of 40 athletes qualified for the prestigious competition, having earned their place earlier in the week during the Jayman BUILT Cup.

Following the opening round, only the top 12 horse and rider combinations advanced to round two, returning in reverse order of merit to battle for the prestigious competition.

Only two combinations managed to produce fault-free performances in the opening round: Abdulrahman Alrajhi (KSA) aboard 13-year-old Ventago and Daniel Bluman (ISR) aboard the grey mare Corbie V.V.. As they prepared for the decisive second round, they watched a number of competitors deliver clear rounds but carry forward faults from the opening track.

Returning second-last to compete, Alrajhi once again rose to the occasion, producing the only double-clear performance of the day to secure victory.

Bluman, had an unfortunate rail in the second round, opening the door for defending champion Daniel Coyle to move into second place. With the time from the first round carrying over to the second, Bluman ultimately finished third to round out the podium

Top 10 ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup 1.60m

1. Abdulrahman Alrajhi (KSA) & Ventago
2. Daniel Coyle (IRL) & Farrel
3. Daniel Bluman (ISR) & Corbie V.V.
4. Kyle King (CAN) & Kayenne Z
5. Lillie Keenan (USA) & Kick On
6. Robert Whitaker (GBR) & Equine America Vermento
7. Hallie Grimes (USA) & Jon Snow
8. Richard Vogel (GER) & Gangster Montdesir
9. Arturo Parada Vallejo (MEX) Laretto
10. McLain Ward (USA) & Lestro VD Valckenborg

The post Coyle Wins Kubota Cup & Is Runner-Up in QEII Cup appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The McNerney Cup 1.45m in the International Ring at Spruce Meadows was contested by twenty-five combinations as they took on the challenge of a technical course designed by FEI course designer Santiago Varela.

Nine of the competitors made it through to the second round after producing clears in the first round.

Both Tom Wachman and Daniel Coyle were among the nine to go against the clock in the second round.

Wachman and Hawaii delivered the fastest fault-free round of the jump-off, stopping the clock in 38.87 seconds to claim victory.

Saudi Arabian rider Abdulrahman, aboard Heartbeat W, took the runner-up spot, with Juan Manuel Luzardo (IRI) and Guizmo du Riou completing the podium.

Daniel Coyle and VDL Mourinho took fourth.

Top 10 McNerney Cup 1.45m

1. Tom Wachman (IRL) & Hawaii
2. Abdulrahman Alrajhi (KSA) & Heartbeat W
3. Juan Manuel Luzardo (IRI) & Guizmo du Riou
4. Daniel Coyle (IRL) & VDL Mourinho
5. Tiffany Foster (CAN) & Steadfast
6. Brian Morton (CAN) & Baton Rouge
7. Jos Verlooy (BEL) & Etundel de Marocy
8. Vanessa Hood (ISR)  BW Graphik
9. Carly Campbell-Cooper (CAN) & U2 Westleven Z
10. Blythe Karolyi (USA) & Theo Duc T&L Z

The post Tom Wachman Wins McNerney Cup 1.45m in Canada appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Competition on the International Ring on a track designed by FEI Course Designer Santiago Varela of Spain, 66 horse and rider combinations undertook the challenge.

The one-round competition measured 565 metres and featured 12 obstacles (14 efforts), all to be completed within the 85-second time allowed.

Both the Devil’s Dyke and the open water were offered as options on course, providing competitors with an early opportunity to consider strategies ahead of the Sun Life Derby later in the week.

Only round under 70 seconds

Speed and precision were the keys to success, and Daniel Coyle and Calippo 57 demonstrated exactly what it takes to come out on top. The pair delivered the only round under the 70-second mark, stopping the clock in an impressive 69.09 seconds to secure victory.

Great Britain’s Charlie Jones claimed second place with a time of 70.86 seconds, while America’s Melody Liu rounded out the podium.

Top 10 AKITA Drilling Cup 1.45m

1. Daniel Coyle (IRL) & Calippo 57
2. Charlie Jones (GBR) & Capitale 6
3. Melody Liu (USA) & Napoleon Van Den Dael
4. Carly Campbell-Cooper (CAN) & Baretino PS
5. Zoe Brown (AUS) & Unchained 2
6. Rupert Carl Winkelmann (GER) & Imodo
7. Kyle King (CAN) & Kayenne Z
8. Brian Morton (CAN) & Baton Rouge
9. Jesus Francisco Orantes Haua (MEX) & Qualitissimo PS
10. Mark Bluman (ISR) & Hastella

The post Daniel Coyle wins again at Spruce Meadows appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The competition in the International Ring, and the final qualifying opportunity for the AON Grand Prix, saw 63 horse-and-rider combinations take on the challenge of the Canadian Utilities Cup 1.55m.

A fault-free round while staying within the 80-second time allowed was required to reach the jump-off round.

On a course designed by FEI Course Designer Anderson Lima of Mexico, 13 combinations secured their spot in the shortened jump-off.

Fast clear gives Farrel and Coyle the win

Daniel Coyle demonstrated exactly why he is considered one of the world’s top show jumpers. Aboard Farrel, Coyle delivered a spectacular jump-off performance, stopping the clock in a blistering 40.64 seconds while leaving all the rails in place.

His winning time proved more than one second faster than second-place finishers Lillie Keenan (USA) and Kick On.

Coyle’s fellow Irishman Conor Swail and Clonterm Obolensky rounded out the podium in third.

With another international victory added to his impressive resume, Coyle and Farrel once again showcased the speed, precision, and partnership required to succeed at the highest level of the sport.

“This arena and this place is very unique”

On returning to Spruce Meadows in 2026, Coyle admitted:

“I could go on for days about what I love about Spruce Meadows, but everybody kind of knows that now. The biggest thing for me here is that I get to know my horses even better, my younger ones especially, and my older horses that I know so well.”

“This arena and this place is very unique and you don’t just ride like you ride everywhere else, it’s two gears faster and the jumps are twice as long as they are anywhere else.”

Top 10 Canadian Utilities Cup 1.55m

1. Daniel Coyle (IRL) & Farrel
2. Lillie Keenan (USA) & Kick On
3. Conor Swail (IRL) & Clonterm Obolensky
4. Lillie Keenan (USA) & Anton
5. Gabriel de Matos Machado (BRA) & Legaland Sandro
6. Conor Swail (IRL) & Casturano
7. Hilary Scott (AUS) & Lola
8. Mark Bluman (COL) & Genial de B’Neville
9. Vaclav Sanek (CZE) & Quintin
10. Katie Laurie (NZL) & ZF Chacco Rio

The post Daniel Coyle & Farrel capture Canadian Utilities Cup at Spruce Meadows appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

With 16 combinations competing in the class, just 0.13 seconds separated the winner and runner-up, Germany’s Katrin Eckermann and Iron Dames Cascajall NRW, who clocked 34.90 seconds.

France’s Cédric Angot and Gandor du Fief secured third place with a superb clear round in 37.04 seconds.

With Eckermann leading when Nallon entered the arena for the jump-off, he knew exactly what was required. The Irish rider threw everything at the challenge aboard Megalon K. Every distance was attacked, every turn committed, and the huge-striding gelding devoured the ground. As they flashed through the timers, the scoreboard revealed the unbelievable 34.77 seconds.

“I’m super proud of our mare, she tried her heart out and with the whistles from hospitality I knew I was in with a chance as I galloped to the last.

“If I hadn’t been watching Katrin’s (Eckermann, eventual runner-up) round I don’t think I’d have taken the risk!”

Pender & Lynch

Fresh from last week’s LGCT Grand Prix runner up in Cannes, Michael Pender looked determined to continue his incredible form aboard HHS Cyprus. Unfortunately, the Barnes red oxer claimed another victim and four faults in 44.69 seconds ended his challenge.

For Denis Lynch, the challenge was effectively over before it had begun. A rail at the very first fence aboard Chicago immediately put him on the back foot, eventually finishing on 4 faults in 38.88 seconds.

The post Ciaran Nallon and Megalon K Win on Global Champions Tour appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

In the Mercer Cup in the All Canada Ring, the Irishman was among 33 combinations taking on the course designed by Irish FEI Course Designer Tom Holden.

With eight horse and rider combinations successfully delivering clears in the opening round to advance to the second, it was Coyle and Nord Face VDL who eventually came out on top with a clear round in 35.24 seconds to secure Mercer Cup victory.

Kyle King was runner-up aboard Ninja BF, with New Zealand’s Katie Laurie completing the podium with Miss Montreal P.

All-Irish Podium in The Recon Metal Cup

A second victory on the board for the Derry rider came with a win aboard Farrel in The Recon Metal Cup 1.55m.

A key qualifying competition for the RBC Grand Prix of Canada, the class drew 46 entries to the International Ring. FEI Course Designer Olaf Petersen Jr.’s 605-metre track, featuring 13 obstacles (16 efforts), and a time allowed of 91 seconds, saw only 12 combinations progress to the jump-off.

Aboard his trusted mare Farrel, Coyle produced a brilliant clear round, stopping the timers in 38.63 seconds to secure top spot on the podium.

Coyle also took the runner-up spot with Urville Z, while Conor Swail completed an all-Irish podium with Clonterm Obolensky in third.

Swail took the runner-up position in the Francis Family Cup 1.50m with Kazelli VDL, behind Belgian Jos Verlooy and Parise Van Den Dael.

Spruce Meadows “one of the best places”

A regular visitor to Spruce Meadows, Daniel Coyle admitted after his second victory at the venue this week:

“Spruce Meadows is great. You come here for the four tournaments and you stay in one place, which we don’t get to do much. The horses can grow every week and you can jump a bigger class or a smaller class depending how your week is going so it’s a really big thing in our schedule.”

“We plan to come every year, because we get to know the horses a little better before we go on tour but not only that, Spruce Meadows is one of the best places in the world.”

‘National’ Double for Coyle and Nord Face VDL

On Saturday, Coyle and Nord Face VDL took their second win together at the Spruce Meadows ‘National’ show, when they claimed The Maritime Travel Cup.

A course designed by Tom Holden attracted 37 starters with eight progressing to the jump-off, before Coyle and Nord Face VDL proved quickest with a clear round in 37.59 seconds.

Kyle King and Ninja, BF, runner-up to Coyle and Nord Face VDL a few days previously in The Mercer Cup, had to settle for the same position again this time, while Emily Esau Williams from the USA, riding Air Jordan Delacense, took third.

Farrel third in Grand Prix of Canada

The RBC Grand Prix of Canada, presented by Rolex, took centre stage on Saturday, welcoming 31 horse and rider combinations from around the world to the iconic International Ring.

Designed by FEI Course Designer Olaf Petersen Jr., the 570-metre first-round track featured 14 obstacles (17 efforts) and a time allowed of 86 seconds. Only six combinations representing six different nations, including Daniel Coyle, successfully navigated the course without fault to advance to the jump-off.

On his first-ever visit to Spruce Meadows, Colombia’s Mark Bluman rose to the occasion aboard Landon de Nyze, delivering one of only two double-clear performances of the day. The pair stopped the clock in 44.44 seconds to secure victory.

Belgian Jos Verlooy and Nixon Van’t Meulenhof also delivered a fault-free jump-off effort, finishing second in 49.02 seconds.

Rounding out the podium was in-form Daniel Coyle and Farrel, whose blistering jump-off time of 41.99 seconds proved the fastest of the afternoon, but a single rail down left the pair on four faults, earning third place despite their impressive speed.

Conor Swail and Clonterm Obolensky finished inside the top-10, in eighth place.

The post Three Wins at Spruce Meadows for Daniel Coyle appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The Irish team consisted of Cian O’Connor, Jordan Coyle, Tom Wachman and Shane Sweetnam.

Teams from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Israel and Mexico and the USA contested.

The hosts took the title – their 11th win in the 24-year history of the FEI Nations Cup at Wellington, Florida.

Ireland were tied for the lead with the USA at the midway point of competition as Israel and Colombia failed to advance to the second round over the Nick Garant-built course.

Ireland on zero score at half-way 

Ireland and the USA began the second round on zero scores, after Cian O’Connor, Shane Sweetnam and Tom Wachman had all jumped without faults.

Scores of zero on the board once again came from Callie Schott and Marilyn Little for the home nation, while a rail fell for Karl Cook.

For the Irish squad’s second round, Jordan Coyle and Cian O’Connor were clear, with Wachman aboard Do It Easy and Sweetman with Rural Junior SCF posting four faults each, ensuring the hosts took a second consecutive victory in the competition.

The post Ireland second in Winter Equestrian Festival Nations Cup appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Eleven combinations advanced to the tiebreaker, with the Irish representatives coming out in top over Andy Christiansen’s (ECU) jump-off course.

Irish 1-2

The 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding stopped the clock at 37.90 seconds with Wexford’s Bertram Allen right behind in 39.12 seconds riding Conquest de Rigo.

Taking third was Charlotte Jacobs (USA) in a time of 40.01 seconds riding North Star’s Playboy JT Z, an 11-year-old Zangersheide gelding.

Kenny delighted to be back in action

“I knew Bertram’s horse has a massive stride,” Kenny admitted. “He did seven [strides] from one to two. I wasn’t sure if I could do that, but it showed up for me. I think my horse is more experienced than his in jump-offs, so that’s probably where it got him,” said Kenny of his jump-off round with his 2025 European Championships partner Eddy Blue.

Kenny was officially cleared to return to international competition on 13 February after the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) lifted a provisional suspension issued on 13 October following a positive drug test during the FEI European Championships.

“This is my first week back – Bertram rode Eddy for me recently and did a fantastic job on him,” said the Irish Olympian. “The horse feels ready to go, and he was amazing today as he always is. I’m very lucky to have such a fantastic group of owners and staff who kept the horses in great shape. I was lucky Bertram was able to ride them for me – I’m very thankful to everybody who was involved in that.”

The post Darragh Kenny and Eddy Blue win at WEF appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Sweetnam started the day as a hopeful for an American Gold Cup hat trick after winning the historic title in 2022 and 2024 with James Kann Cruz. He and the 12-year-old Irish-bred gelding (Kannan x Cruising) stopped the clock just over a second shy of the winning time in 35.97 to finish second.

The highlight of the summer in North America

“James Kann Cruz was great, Greya [the mount of winning rider, Kent Farrington] is just a faster horse,” admitted Sweetnam. “Even going in, I knew it would be a long shot. I watched Greya’s round and knew that it probably wouldn’t be caught but I’ve already had about six or seven second-place finishes this year, so I was going to give it a go no matter what. I didn’t feel I left much out there.

“For North America, this is the highlight of the summer,” he continued. “Since I’ve come over from Ireland, it has been a special class held at brilliant venues.”

15-year-old Farrel puts Coyle on podium

Fellow Irish Olympian Daniel Coyle piloted Farrel to third in 36.49 for owner Ariel Grange. The podium finish was a momentous one after the now 15-year-old (VDL Cardento x Argelith Stakkato) was sidelined for six years from an injury as a 9-year-old.

“Every round on this horse feels like a bonus because there was a point we never thought he would jump again, let alone double clear in a five-star,” said the world no. 11. “The American Gold Cup is an iconic event for riders from any country, and I’m thrilled to get a piece of it.”

Kent Farrington and Greya win

World number 1 Kent Farrington is setting a new standard with his magnificent mare Greya. Together, they won a record sixth five-star grand prix inside a year to lift the iconic American Gold Cup and claim their share of $340,000 in prize money.

Farrington and the 10-year-old Oldenburg mare (Colestus x Contender) established the standard over Alan Wade’s opening round as the first of an eventual six clear. On theme for the record-breaking day, Wade designed his 11th American Gold Cup track this week.

Third success for Farrington

Greya set the pace yet again in the jump-off at 34.75 seconds, which would stand as the winning result. Farrington has now won the American Gold Cup three times, previously in 2016 and 2020.

“My biggest concern today was going to be measuring the speed it was going to take to win,” said Farrington. “You don’t want to be chasing what somebody else can do—you have to know what your horse’s best possible round is. I tried to put down a solid effort where they were going to have to do something special to beat me, and luckily it worked out.”

The American Gold Cup was first awarded in 1970 and has been won by some of show jumping’s most legendary names throughout its 55-year history.

The post Sweetnam and Coyle 2nd & 3rd in $340,000 American Gold Cup appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.