Harrisburg, PA – Christian Coyle rode Dekato to victory in the $30,000 Trump Lawn and Land 1.30m Grand Prix on Friday evening, October 22, at the 75^th Pennsylvania National Horse Show.

Coyle and the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding were one of 10 entries from the 31-horse field to complete the first-round course, set by Manuel Esparza, without fault. Then, speed was the name of the game, as returning riders continued to get faster and faster over the short course.

When Coyle entered the ring with three horses still to follow him, the time to beat had been set at 40.531 seconds by Victoria Colvin and Gemino, owned by BMT Partners, but that would prove no match for Dekato.

“He’s naturally fast,” said Coyle of the horse, owned by his own Christian Coyle Show Stables, that stopped the clock in 39.235 seconds for the win. “He’s a big horse but his legs are always moving, and he knows where his legs are.

“It’s fantastic [to win tonight],” continued Coyle, who has had Dekato since February of this year. “More than anything, the horse deserves it. Every day he gives us his all, and as I don’t mess up, he’s always there or thereabouts, so I’m just delighted for him.”

Finishing in second behind Coyle and Dekato were Colvin and Gemino, while third place went to Taylor St. Jacques and Happysine with a jump-off time of 40.582 seonds.