We Speak Horses
Sharon White Makes History as First Woman to Win the US Equestrian Open Eventing Final
Sharon White made history at Morven Park, riding Claus 63 to victory in the $200,000 US Equestrian Open Eventing Final in Leesburg, Virginia — becoming the first woman ever to win a US Equestrian Open Final.
White entered the final phase, show jumping, sitting third, 2.2 penalties behind leader Will Coleman. Her clear round moved her to the top of the leaderboard, and she finished the weekend on 30.8 penalties.
Coleman, of Ocala, Florida, had led after cross-country on his dressage score of 28.6 with Off The Record, but two rails down in show jumping dropped him to second at 36.6. Mia Farley of Lexington, Kentucky, jumped clear on Invictus to climb from 13th after dressage to third at 39.8, and Invictus also earned the MARS Equestrian American Bred Talent Trophy as the top-finishing U.S.-bred horse in the CCI4*-L division.
“I’m really glad that a woman has finally won the Final,” said White, of Summit Point, West Virginia. “Whoever ends up on top, we all work so hard, and all the horses try so hard, so I feel lucky that I have ended up on top.”
White has been a fixture at American eventing’s biggest competitions for 18 years and made her senior team debut at the 2023 Pan American Games, where she earned team silver. This was her fourth CCI4*-L appearance at Morven Park with Claus 63.
We Speak Horses
Jordan Coyle and Cordiamo Win the $100,000 Grand Prix de Penn National in Harrisburg
Jordan Coyle closed out his week at the 80th Pennsylvania National Horse Show the way he spent it: winning. The Irish rider and Cordiamo captured the $100,000 Grand Prix de Penn National on Saturday night in the Harrisburg Coliseum.
From a starting field of 29 over a course designed by Bernardo Costa Cabral, eight pairs advanced to the jump-off. Filip de Wandel and Strongbeau set the time to beat at 38.725 seconds — and then Coyle blew it away, crossing the timers in 31.758 to win by nearly four seconds. Gustavo Xavier Cortez and Action T took second in 35.602, with de Wandel holding third.
It completed a sweep of the week’s two biggest jumper classes for Coyle, who had also won Thursday’s $30,000 1.40m Welcome with the 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding, owned by Elan Farm. Cordiamo was also named the 1.40m Jumper Champion, and Coyle received the Harrisburg Kiwanis Club Challenge Trophy.
“I know he’s a fast horse,” said Coyle, who has had Cordiamo since the gelding was 3. “He’s not going to touch them. There is a big future with him for sure. He’s very careful, he’s very competitive. If I do a good job, I think he’ll jump five-star grand prix competitively.”
The win wrapped the open jumper competition at the 80th edition of the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, held October 8-18 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex.
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