Derry's Daniel Coyle triumphed in Sunday’s five-star Grand Prix at Thermal in California, finishing just ahead of Down’s Conor Swail on an outstanding weekend for Irish competitors in the United States.
Riding Legacy, Coyle was one of only four riders to advance to the jump-off.
It was a match-up between Ireland and Canada as he joined Swail and Canadians Sean Jobin and Amy Millar in the tiebreaker.
Coyle laid it all on the line for a jump-off time of 35.13 seconds, which could not be caught as the remaining three tried to chase him.
"Legacy has been phenomenal for me since we bought her," Coyle said of the 12-year-old mare.
"I produced her as a championship horse but after the World Championships we changed course and decided to try to win some Grand Prix.
"She’s getting better and better. I’m getting to know her better in jump-offs also."
Swail is moving Mannon Farm’s Nadal Hero & DB up the ranks, exposing him to more top competition and proving he has another top contender in his incredibly strong string.
"I’m absolutely delighted with my horse," Swail, ranked number five in the world, remarked.
"He’s progressing so well, he’s doing all the right things, he’s learning from his mistakes, and I am super delighted with second place."
Coyle concluded an amazing week by also winning Sunday’s Talus Winning Round with his own and Grange’s Ivory TCS.
