The final day of competition during Week I of the 2020 Old Salem Farm Fall Series kicked off in the Grand Prix Field with another win for Ireland’s Jordan Coyle and Picador. The highlight of the day was the morning’s $75,000 Old Salem Farm Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group, which Coyle nabbed victory over a field of 33. Junior and amateur jumper riders also took center stage on the Grand Prix Field for the $7,500 High Junior/ Amateur-Owner Classic.
Jordan Coyle on Picador. Photo by SEL Photography.
Paul Jewell designed the track contested on the Grand Prix Field. His first round consisted of 16 obstacles, to be cleared in 80.00 seconds or less. Of the starting line-up of competitors, 10 entries left all fences intact within the time allowed and returned for the jump-off. Nicky Galligan (IRL), and his own Javas Miss Jordan, an Irish Sport Horse mare (Luidam x Alley Angel), managed the fastest jump-off time on 34.240 seconds but one downed rail kept them out of the winner’s circle. In an impressive feat, Friday’s $25,000 Grand Prix of North Salem winner and the winner of last week’s $75,000 SmartPak Grand Prix of Saugerties, Jordan Coyle again rose to the top of the podium with Picador, owned by Elan Farm.
Coyle and the impressive 13-year-old Anglo-European gelding (Lupicor x Kind Of Magic) have been unbeatable in their last several weeks of competition.
“We were both under pressure today, so I think we really felt the need to step it up and continue to perform at our absolute best,” he said.
“Picador is very highly strung, he really loves the show environment,” Coyle continued. “When you ride him at home, he’s like riding a school horse. But when you bring him to the show, he gets highly-strung. He is an unbelievable horse because he could honestly do this every day; there is no such thing as a day off or a schooling day in his mind.”
Nayel Nassar on Oaks Redwood. Photo by SEL Photography.
Winner earlier this week of the $3,000 1.40m Open Jumper Stake, Nayel Nassar (EGY), took the reserve honors on the podium with another Evergate Stables LLC entry, Oaks Redwood. He and the 14-year-old Warmblood gelding (ASB Conquistador x Oaks Miss Scarlett) left all rails standing with a time of 35.357. Veteran show jumping athlete Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) rounded out the top-three after clearing the timers in 35.573 seconds with Carlito’s Way 6 (Casall x Nicoletta I), owned by Artemis Equestrian Farm LLC.
Rodrigo Pessoa on Carlito’s Way 6. Photo by SEL Photography.