Coyle Makes Winning a Habit, Romond Pilots First-Time Derby Winner at Saratoga Classic I

Two of the highlight classes of the week at the Saratoga Classic I Horse Show were held on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at White Hollow Farm. Christian Coyle (IRL) and his own Ma Pomme de Tamerville won the $25,000 Saratoga Grand Prix, marking their third grand prix win at the venue. Riding a first-time derby entry, Laena Romond piloted Little Lord 112, owned by Marigold Sporthorses LLC, to victory in the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. The Saratoga Classic I wraps up on Sunday, June 16, and competition returns for week two on June 19-23.

Coyle has made winning a habit at Saratoga Horse Shows with his mount Ma Pomme de Tamerville, and he has used the competition to help keep up “Pomme’s” confidence. The pair have been together for two years and “clicked from the beginning,” winning at the CSI Greenwich show in their second competition together.

“She is so reliable,” said Coyle of the 12-year-old BWP mare by Deauville van TL x Contendro II. “She is the barn favorite because she’s so consistent. She’s naturally quick. I don’t have to be trying to go really quick because I can just go in a good rhythm and let her do the rest.

“She can jump bigger,” he added, “so I mind her a little and pick my classes because she’s such a trier. She gives you everything and leaves nothing on the table. Rather than break her heart and jump her every week and get greedy, I mind her and think of classes down the line with a few bigger ones for her.”

Coyle said that Pomme didn’t feel fully “on” in the first round of the grand prix. However, once they returned for the jump-off, she was ready, and they finished clear in 36.378 seconds.

“I think she thrives in the jump-offs,” said Coyle. “When I went up a gear in the jump-off, she clicked in. I felt that she was back to normal. I could have gone quicker, but I jumped the second to last jump, and the clock was literally right in front of me. I knew I had a little bit of time to play with, so I didn’t go crazy to the last jump. Tori jumped a brilliant round and put it up to us all, so fair play to her.”

Coyle was chasing, and beat, the time set by Tori Corts (USA), who was first in the jump-off on Semi Automatic, an 11-year-old American-bred Belgian Warmblood gelding by Amaretto d’Arco. They posted the time to beat at 37.843 seconds, which would hold up for second place. Third place went to Alysson Siopes (USA) on Eldo van de Helle, a 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Eldorado van de Zeshoek TN owned by David Tromp Show Stables, Inc. They were clear in 38.306 seconds.

Derby Debut for Little Lord 112

Little Lord 112 set the tone for his hunter career by winning his first-ever hunter derby in the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby with rider Laena Romond. The pair had the high score of 183 in round one and returned last in the order for the handy course. With a score of 178.5 and an overall total of 361.5, they were victorious by five points.

With the high score in round two of 182.5 and an overall total of 356.5, Friday’s derby winner Keirstin Scott rode Waterloo, owned by Maria Brand, to second place. Third place went to David Tromp riding David Tromp Show Stables Inc.’s Incognito, who had a total score of 351.

Romond, a trainer at Heritage Farm in Katonah, NY, helped welcome Little Lord into the barn a little over two months ago when owner Natalie Dean – who is currently on the U.S. Jumping team short list for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games – thought he may be better suited to the hunter ring. With junior rider Emi Richard, Little Lord won championships in the Small Junior Hunters in his first two hunter starts. Romond took the reins on Saturday morning and feels that he has found his place.

“Every time he gets better and better when he walks in the hunter ring, so I think that’s what he might want to do,” she said of the nine-year-old German Sport Horse gelding by Lord Fauntleroy x Casdorff. “He’s quiet and brave; this derby suited him, and he did it really well for his first time. The size of the jumps doesn’t matter, he’s experienced at jumping much higher jumps, so you’re trusting him when aiming him at some of these bigger ones.”

Romond appreciated the course set by Lynn Mullins that did not rely on related distances. “You could work with a little pace,” she explained. “There were long, bending lines and single oxers. It was nice because you could show off your horse’s jump. In the second round, there were some opportunities to turn inside and show some handiness. The ones that went before me pushed the track a little bit; they went pretty neat and pretty tight. It ended up being a nice class.”

Little Lord has found his place in the hunter ring, and he has also enjoyed the hunter lifestyle. “When we got him, he was fit and a little leaner,” explained Romond. “It hasn’t taken him long to look like a hunter. He’s about to go on a diet, because he went from a fit jumper to a fat hunter in about a month!”

Saratoga Classic I Horse Show Highlights

Sunday, June 16
$1,000 Non-Pro Hunter Derby and Grand Hunter Champion awards

Looking for horse show photos? Visit official photographer Jess Windhurst Photography at www.JessWindhurst.com to view all of your show proofs!

For more information on the Saratoga Horse Shows, visit www.saratogahorseshows.com.

About Saratoga Horse Shows

Now in its 26th year, Saratoga Horse Shows will offer nine USEF-rated competitions on the 2024 show calendar, along with an additional seven schooling show dates. Managed by Southbound Saratoga Management Group and held at White Hollow Farm in Stillwater, New York, Saratoga Horse Shows is situated on more than 100 acres and located eight miles from downtown Saratoga Springs. With eight large arenas featuring state-of-the-art drainage and all-weather performance footing, permanent and tented stabling, and turnout paddocks, it is the ideal place to show during the spring and summer months. Visit www.saratogahorseshows.com to learn more.