About Christian Coyle

Irish rider and trainer Christian Coyle offers a full-service program based in Ridgefield, CT, and Wellington, FL, specializing in the development of horses and training of hunter, jumper, and equitation riders.

Christian hails from Derry, Ireland, and has been in the saddle his whole life. After learning the ins and outs of show jumping in his home country, he made the move to the United States in 2013 and has ridden for fellow Irish show jumper, Darragh Kerins, and Belgian broker Maarten Huygens Horse Sales, among others. He spent three years as head trainer and rider at Old Salem Farm before making the decision form Christian Coyle Show Stables.

Christian Coyle Show Stables specializes in breeding, finding, and developing equine talent to succeed at the amateur level as well as international grand prix level. Having sold promising young horses to former world number-one rider Martin Fuchs, Irish team rider Paul O’Shea, and other top riders, Christian knows what it takes to bring horses to the top of the sport.

With patience and an ability to match a rider with the perfect mount, Christian is also an adept trainer. He has trained students from the equitation finals, to adult hunters, and everything in between.

European Achievements:

  • First place National Speed Derby – Hickstead Royal International
  • First place Irish Masters – Northern Championships
  • Winner of Puissance (high jump) classes at Blessington, Cavan, and Mullingar
  • Numerous Grand Prix wins throughout Ireland
  • Numerous wins in Young Horses classes at Dublin 5* and Millstreet International

U.S. Top Finishes:

  • 2025 winner of the CSI4* Live Oak International Grand Prix
  • 2023 & 2024 Grand Prix wins at Lake Placid Horse Show, Vermont Summer Festival, Pennsylvania National, Saratoga Horse Show and the Hampton Classic
  • 2022 WEF National Grand Prix
  • 2021/2022 Greenwich CSI3* winner
  • 2021 WEF CSI3*
  • 2020/2021 Ridge Turf Tour Wellington Grand Prix winner
  • 2020 6-Year-Old Young Horse Final winner
  • 2019 Vermont Summer Festival – Circuit Champion 3’6” Performance Hunters
  • 2019 World Equestrian Center Grand Prix winner
  • 2019 Longines Masters of New York Grand Prix CSI2*
  • Multiple Princeton Grand Prix Wins
  • Vermont Summer Festival Grand Prix events – multiple podium finishes
  • HITS Grand Prix events – multiple podium finishes
  • 2018 Sussex County Grand Prix winner

About Helen Graves

 

Helen Graves is an accomplished equestrian with extensive experience in riding, training and sales. With a proven track record in international competition and a strong background in horse-and-rider matchmaking, she is uniquely positioned to establish a successful equestrian business focused on training, sales, and selling competitive show jumping horses at the highest levels.

With experience that spans North America and Europe, Helen has worked at Olympic-level facilities in Europe and managed top barns.

In the competition arena, her proven record includes multiple Grand Prix placements, international team medals, and victories at major events.

Achievements:

  • 2016 & 2017 Team Silver Medalist at Prix des States

  • 2018 $15,000 High Classic Winner – WEF

  • 2019 High Classic Winner – Split Rock Jumping Tour

  • 2019 Qualifier for Dublin Horse Show

  • 2020 Winner of Hermes U25 Team Event

  • 2020 Top-5 Placing in $50,000 Classic at American Gold Cup

  • Consistent Grand Prix Placements

  • 2023 4th in $75,000 National Grand Prix – Traverse City Horse Shows

  • 2024 8th Place in $50,000 National Grand Prix – Kentucky Horse Park