Ireland’s Jordan Coyle guided Costa Diam to victory in the $32,000 Equine Tack & Nutritionals CSI3* 1.45m Speed on the grass derby field at Equestrian Village on Saturday after a year-long recovery from injury for the mare. The comeback win highlighted the third week of the 2024 ESP Spring Series, presented by Florida Coast Equipment. The Spring Series at Wellington International runs for five weeks as part of the ESP Annual Series and concludes on May 12.
In a race to the top, sixty-five horses challenged Andy Christiansen Jr.’s (USA) speed course. Coyle, 31, set an uncatchable target at 59.23 seconds from the 51st position in the original order.
“We had Costa for about ten months with quite high expectations when she got an injury,” said Coyle of the 12-year-old Selle Français mare (Componist Champblanc x Allegreto) owned by Elan Farm. “Unfortunately, that was it for us. This is only our second FEI week back. It's taken exactly one year to get her back to the show ring.”
In a grand prix during WEF 4 last year, Costa Diam suffered a deep digital flexor injury. Many months of recovery included rest, hand walks and a slow push back to fitness. The mare recovered under the watchful eyes of Elan Farm grooms Marketa Churova and Miša Honzova. “I have to give them 90% of the credit because they did most of the work to get her back and it was a serious job,” said Coyle.
One year to the day of the injury, Costa Diam jumped a 1.15m at WEF earlier this season and slowly began moving her way back up.
“She’s quite easy, so building her back was just about taking our time,” continued Coyle. “We did a 1.20m, then a 1.30m and then a 1.40m. I would almost say that she’s a better horse now than she was when we got her.”
Costa Diam joined the Elan Farm string at the end of the 2022 winter season with high expectations from Coyle and owner Stella Manship. The mare caught their attention while being previously developed by Jordan’s cousin Christian Coyle in the national grand prix ranks.
“We have taken our time because I think she’s a very good horse; she’s mostly careful, but also easy to ride and has enough scope,” said Jordan. “It’s great to have her back and now we are going to have a bit of fun and not put her under too much pressure. For sure she’s going to win a lot.”
When he took over the lead, Jordan bumped Lebanon’s Jad Dana to second on a time of 60.37 seconds riding Fleur-de-lis’ Cherie, owned by The Cherie Group. Rounding out the podium, Erynn Ballard (CAN) piloted Ginger Ask to third in 60.52 seconds for owners Ilan Ferder and Marigold Sporthorses.
Earlier in the day on the field, Ashley Vogel (USA) won the BrainJuice Junior/Amateur 1.40m Speed riding her own Birdy du Thot. Ireland’s Robert Blanchette topped the Zen Elite Equestrian 1.35m Open Jumper Stake aboard Carnlea Premier Balou, owned by Ridersmith, LLC. Attention now turns to Sunday’s $140,000 Palm Beach County Sports Commission CSI3* Grand Prix, which kicks off at 11am.
To view full results from Saturday at ESP Spring III, please click HERE.
