Coyle wins Kubota Cup and is QEII Cup finalist

Derry rider Daniel Coyle claimed another victory in the ‘North American’ competition at Spruce Meadows in Canada this weekend, while also taking second place in the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Cup.

Coyle and Uruville Z were one of 10 combinations to advance to the second round of the 1.50m Kubota Cup in the international ring.

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

Irish rider Daniel Coyle took victory with Uruville Z as the pair put in a blistering performance in the winning round, crossing the line in 48.90 seconds to secure top spot on the podium.

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

Another Irish combination, Conor Swail and Casturano, took third place.

Top 10 Kubota Cup 1.50m

Daniel Coyle (IRL) & Urville Z
Kyle King (CAN) and Replay Touch V/D Stapelheyde
Conor Swail (IRL) and Casturano
Katie Laurier (NZL) and ZF Chacco Rio
Richard Vogel (GER) and Phenyo Van Hey Keysersbos
Mark Bluman (ISR) and Inside My Heart
Eugenio Garza Perez (MEX) and Victer Finn DH Z
McKayla Langmeier (United States) and Isidore de Chalusse
Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) and Diaroubet
Hilary Scott (AUS) and Lola

Daniel Coyle and Farrel placed second in the ATCO Queen Elizabeth II 1.60m Cup. Credit: © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk.

QE Cup II Finalist

Defending champion Daniel Coyle had to settle for second place in this year’s $1,000,000 ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Spruce Meadows on Saturday.

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

After the opening round, only the top 12 horse-rider pairs advanced to the second round, returning in reverse order of merit to battle it out for the prestigious competition.

Only two couples managed to achieve flawless performances in the first round: Abdulrahman Alrajhi (KSA) aboard 13-year-old Ventago and Daniel Bluman (ISR) aboard the gray mare Corbie VV. As they prepared for the decisive second run, they saw a number of competitors achieve faultless runs but carry over faults from the opening track.

Coming back from second to last, Alrajhi once again rose to the occasion, achieving the only double clear round 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 time running out between the first lap and the second, Bluman ultimately finished third to complete the podium.