WELLINGTON,Fla.--The men’s team won the $75,000 Battle of the Sexes at the Winter Equestrian Festival on Saturday, Jan. 7, breaking an 11-year winning streak for the women in the 13-year history of the event.
Christian Coyle on Honour (Photo by Sportfot)The women’s team for Battle of the Sexes consisted of team captain Nicole Jayne, Kelly Soleau-Millar, Heather Caristo-Williams, Delaney Flynn, Samantha Mackenzie, Mia Mannis, Abigail McArdle, Catherine Pasmore, Alexis Sokolov, and Ally Worthington.
The men’s team, led by captain Charlie Jayne, also included Christian Coyle, Daniel Coyle, Jordan Coyle, Alex Granato, Luis Larrazabal, Tony Stormanns, Sohnke Theymann, Michael Tokaruk, and Simon McCarthy.
The Battle of the Sexes consists of three phases, with the first being a Table C faults-converted speed course where the riders go to head-to-head over the same course, and the one with the fastest time gains a point for their team.
FOLLOWING the first phase, the men’s team had a commanding lead at nine to one.
In the second phase, each team had three relay groups, where a trio of riders each did a section of the course.
The women’s team fought back in the second phase closing the gap by 10 points.
The final phase was a match race where riders competed at the same time over a course that mirrored itself in the ring.
Scores started at 11 to 14 with the men still leading, but by the penultimate match they were neck and neck.
Christian Coyle brought back hope to the men’s team by overtaking Nicole Jayne in their match race with only one match remaining.
“Going into the match race, I wanted to try and be as slick and neat as possible because my horse is naturally fast,” said Coyle. “I saw after number three that Nicole was still close and then going to the skinny, I thought she was a little ahead, so I took a risk to the second-to-last and it paid off. Then I could be a little cautious and make sure I left the last up. It’s a great class. There was brilliant atmosphere here tonight and it is good fun for everyone.”
Christian’s cousin Jordan beat Samantha Mackenzie to guarantee a victory for the men’s team in the very last contest, with the final score of 29 to 23.
“I told the girls that we have to let them win every now and then or they aren’t going to come back out and challenge us anymore,” said women’s team captain Nicole Jayne and the conclusion of the evening. “It was down to the wire and a really fun class. Congratulations to the boys!”
“It was an exciting class," said Charlie Jayne. "I’m happy all the riders and horses tried their best. It was a great finish at the end and Jordan did a great job finishing up for our team. I was excited about the energy tonight that both teams showed.”
IRELAND'S Conor O’Regan on 11-year-old Mendini DR scored his first win of WEF season in the $25,000 Classic, the opening event of the 2023 1.50m Championship Jumper Series at WEF.
Conor ORegan on Mendinii DR (Photo by Sportfot)O’Regan has been riding Mendini DR since the mare’s 6-year-old year.
O"Regan finished in 41.185 seconds with a second to spare over runner-up Luis Fernando Larrazabal of Venezuela on Condara, who stopped the clock at 40.477 seconds.
Of the 28 horses that started the class, five advanced to the tie-breaking jump-off over a course designed by Eric Hasbrouck.
“I’ve produced this horse ,and we are still in a building stage with her, so to get the win today is a bonus,” said O’Regan. “She’s always had a good brain, but her style is quite unique. The biggest thing with her was just to take my time and make sure she is comfortable jumping bigger. I think she proved that she can today.
“I set out in a really good pace and rhythm,” said O’Regan. “My mare is naturally fast, so I knew I was going to have a go, and it’s good practice. It all worked out for me in the end.”
Denmark’s Cecile Tofte finished third on Napoleon van den Dael, with Savannah Talcott fourth on Desta STE Hermelle, and Heather Caristo-Williams fifth riding Dionysos de la Vigne.
