Portmore International Equestrian Centre proved to be happy hunting ground for Ulster rider Jordan Coyle as he rode to victory in the sixth leg of the GAIN/Alltech Autumn Grand Prix last Saturday. Riding Amigo VH Winkenshof Z he took the lion’s share of the £2,000 on offer in the host sponsored class and also put his first points on the leaderboard.

Speaking after the win, Coyle said, “I was delighted to win today. He is a very fast horse and there were a few fast combinations in the jump-off, luckily everything stayed in place for us. The horse has been with me for two years and this year was a very good one for us, winning four international speed classes. The plan earlier in the year was to put him in the Going for Gold Sale in Goresbridge but this didn’t work out. We will go to Cavan International next and then he will have the rest of the year off”.

Owned by Jim Maneely, Amigo VH Winkenshof Z (Zang) is a nine-year-old gelding by Amoroso Van De Helle and out of a Lancer 11 sired mare Luna. Under Coyle’s command this year, the combination have clocked up a series of results on the national and international circuit. Amongst their good results was a win in the 1.35m two phase in Millstreet CSI3*, a win in the Table A 1.30m in Mullingar CSI2* and two wins earlier in the year in speed classes in Millstreet CSI2*. On the national circuit the duo recorded wins in the Spring Tour, Munster and Ulster Grand Prix’s.              

On duty, International course designer Rafael Suarez set the challenge for the 49 starters, which saw 13 combinations proceed to the jump-off course.

Sixth to go in the timed round, Conall McLoughlin took a series of tight lines with Shannondale Sonic and a clear in 40.86 seconds saw him take the lead at the point.

Kenneth Graham proved out of luck with his first mount George but he returned with Lenamore Lucy Lou to lodge a clear in 34.95 for eventual third place.

Hannah Patterson’s tight line to the double aboard Douglas W cost her dearly as the first part fell to the floor. A fast time however of 36.85 saw her account for fourth place.

Keen to add to his leaderboard tally, Liam O Meara wasted no time with Kenny Flight, but four faults at the last vertical in a time of  37.62 proved only good enough for fifth place, which did serve to temporarily put him top of the leaderboard on 13 points.

Jordan Coyle got his first look at the jump-off course with Essenar Crixus, but four faults at the last in a time of 55.78 meant that took eventual sixth place.

The penultimate pair, all eyes were on Jordan Coyle and Amigo VH Winkenshof Z as they took to the course. A series of tight lines matched with a risky gallop to the last saw them clock the winning time of 36.19 seconds and in the process, demoted Conall McLoughlin into the runner-up place.

Gain/Alltech Autumn Grand Prix League Portmore International EC 29th November 2016 full result:

Sponsored by Portmore International Equestrian Centre

1^st Amigo VH Winkenshof Z/Jordan Coyle 0/0/36.19
2^nd Shannondale Sonic, Conall Mcloughlin 0/0/40.86                 

3^rd Lenamore Lucy Lou, Kenneth Graham 0/4/34.95                                    

4^th Douglas W, Hannah Patterson 0/4/36.85                        

5^th Kennysflight, Liam O'Meara 0/4/37.62 
6^th Essenar Crixus, Jordan Coyle 0/4/55.78