Press release from Traverse City Horse Shows

Daniel Coyle (IRL) has been developing a champion in Ivory TCS for the past few years, and his efforts have been proven every step of the way. Ariel Grange’s 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Falaise de Muze x Ukato) stepped up once again at the top level by winning Friday’s $142,500 Cabana Coast CSI5* Qualifier. The placing added another major victory to their record and helped Coyle prepare for a big showing on Sunday in the CSI5* American Gold Cup.

“Ivory was brilliant today once again,” Coyle said of the performance in Friday’s jump-off class. “This show was a little unlucky for me last time I was here but thankfully this time I’m starting off with a win and it can’t get any better than that.”

Friday’s class was anything but unlucky for Coyle, who has strung together a series of wins so far on the Major League Show Jumping tour in 2023. Sixteen pairs jumped Alan Wade’s (IRL) course clear, and Coyle was the fastest of six double-clear efforts. Daniel Bluman (ISR) and Gemma W (Luidam x Unaniem), owned by Over the Top Stables LLC, claimed second place, while Jessica Mendoza (GBR) and I-Cap CL Z (I'm Special de Muze x Air Jordan) tied for third with Shane Sweetnam and Out Of The Blue SCF (Verdi TN x Cassini I), owned by Spy Coast Farm, LLC.

“Ivory is very fast in the best of times,” he continued of the mare’s natural speed. “Today there were a few options to leave strides out and I could do that on her. The best of what she does is the turnbacks and I think that’s where I won today.”

Ivory TCS has recently competed exclusively at the CSI5* level, proving to be right in her comfort zone. She and Coyle helped the Roadrunners take the win in the most recent Major League Show Jumping Team Competition, along with countless individual victories.

“She’s won two of the 1.50m Winning Rounds in a row. This is her first win in the Grand Prix qualifier,” he shared of her winning record. “It’s a stepping stone for what I’m hoping the future holds for her. She’s a very exciting horse and I’m lucky to have her.”

Coyle has yet to contend in the historic CSI5* American Gold Cup, set for this Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring. The luck could fall in his favor, however, as the only two non-North American riders to win it in the past were actually both Irish.

“I’ve never done the Gold Cup before so it’ll be interesting to me to see what it brings that’s different to the sport,” he shared. “Obviously it’s a very old, historic [event] so I’m glad to be a part of it and hopefully I’ll be back on the podium.”

Bringing forth a different mount, Quintin, for Sunday’s class, Coyle shows the depth of his current string, with rides for every division at the highest level. The Irishman jumped at Spruce Meadows only a few days prior to his win Friday and he is still presenting a full lineup of CSI5* horses for the busy week in Northern Michigan.

As part of the fifth leg of Major League Show Jumping, Saturday brings another action-packed day of jumping, with the $76,000 CSI2* Grand Prix and the $400,000 Premier Equestrian Team Competition.