Rotterdam, The Netherlands – June 26, 2022 – For the first time since 1964, a rider from Ireland has won the Grand Prix of Rotterdam CSIO 5*. Daniel Coyle (IRL) and Oak Grove’s Carlyle were the fastest of seven combinations with a clear round in the jump-off. Kevin Jochems (NED) with Cornetboy took second place. Frenchman Julien Epaillard (FRA) came in third place with Caracole de la Roque.
Fourteen of the 45 combinations to start in the €150,000 Longines Grand Prix of Rotterdam CSIO 5* made it into the jump-off. France’s Kevin Staut was the first rider to stay clear in the jump-off. After that, Dutch rider Patrick Lemmen (NED) took the lead with Exit Remo, but a daring effort by Julian Epaillard (FRA) had him cross the finish line a second faster.
Much to the joy of the Dutch home crowd, Kevin Jochems (NED) and Cornetboy managed to shave off another 0,3 seconds off of Epaillards time. But the last rider to start, Daniel Coyle, prevented another Dutch victory at this CHIO Rotterdam. The Irishman gave his all in an impressive ride, with a time that was half a second faster than Kevin Jochems’.
Asked about his win, Coyle said he could not quite believe what had happened yet. “To be honest, we weren’t the most hopeful heading into the competition. With this horse, you don’t really know beforehand what you’re going to get. But last Thursday he did very well and so I decided to also ride him in the Grand Prix. And he did his very best for me today.”
While a Dutchman may not have won on home turf, the winning combination still had some connection to The Netherlands. Dutch rider Jeroen Dubbeldam (NED) used to be Oak Grove’s Carlyle‘s rider before Daniel Coyle took over the reins. “Jeroen helps me with him, and I’m very happy with that. He has taught me to assess the horse more. Jeroen has won every medal there is in our sport, so his help is very valuable to me. We have both figured out a way that works best when riding this horse.
“I’m happy, but it still hurts a little bit not to have won here in front of the home crowd”, Kevin Jochems said. “I have only been riding Cornetboy for a couple of months now. We started in the 1,40 and 1,45 meter classes, and each week, we just went a little higher. I should be very happy to have this kind of result with him already. Competing here feels different than it did last year when there were no spectators. When you ride you can really feel that the crowd is behind you, that makes the moment even more special.”
“Unfortunately, I wasn’t fast enough today, but that’s the game we play”, said Julien Epaillard (FRA). “I took some risk in the course to try to win, but someone else just did better. In any case, I’m very happy with my mare today.”
General director Ron Voskuilen is proud to look back on five successful days filled with sports. “Of course we’re pleased with how the last few days went. We changed the setting of the event last year due to Covid-19, and we’re continuing to build on that. The combination of a great atmosphere and sport at the highest level was a success, we’ve heard positive feedback from spectators.”
This concludes the 73rd edition of CHIO Rotterdam. Next year’s edition will take place from 22 – 25 June 2023.
Final Results – €150,000 Longines Grand Prix of Rotterdam CSIO 5*
1) Daniel Coyle (IRL) & Oak Grove’s Carlyle – 0 / 0 – 36.69
2) Kevin Jochems (NED) & Cornetboy – 0 / 0 – 37.20
3) Julien Epaillard (FRA) & Caracole de La Roque – 0 / 0 – 37.49
Source: Press Release (edited) from CHIO Rotterdam
Photo: © CHIO Rotterdam / Danielle Vink
Categories: CSIO 5*, English, Jumper News Ireland
