Daniel Coyle continued his successful week at Spruce Meadows, Canada, when taking yesterday evening’s Pepsi U25 Challenge in the International Ring riding Somerset, writes Mike Dunne.

In a nine-way jump-off, Coyle outdid leader Kara Chad of Canada and Tisele du Park by half a second to claim the victory. Third place went to American Hilary McNurney and Z Acodate DDL.

“We always new she was going to be a good horse”, said the 21year-old Irish rider. “Just in the past month she has been fabulous. She tried really hard out there. I asked her a lot of questions and she answered them all.”

Along with fellow Irishman Conor Swail, Coyle rides for Susan and Ariel Grange’s Lothlorien Farm, and on Wednesday last he rode Fortis Fortuna to victory in the AON Cup at the Canadian venue.

Although entered in tomorrow’s 1m45 class, Coyle says Somerset will be rested after yesterday’s win. “She is only eight, and it was her first time in there (the International Ring), and she could not have jumped any better. She has jumped here for five weeks, so I am going to leave her at that.”