Devin Ryan Races to Another Podium Finish in a World Cup Qualifier

By Jumper News USA on November 5, 2023

Lexington, Kentucky, USA – November 04, 2023 – The pinnacle of show jumping competition called the Alltech Arena home on Saturday, November 4th for the most anticipated event of the week, the $226,000 Longines FEI World Cup ™ Jumping Lexington. Twenty-eight of the world’s top horse-and-rider combinations faced off at the 140th National Horse Show for a chance to qualify for the 2024 FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Twelve nations were represented in the field of riders, four of which are in the top 15 Longines ranked riders. Course designer, Alan Wade (IRL) set a proper first-round track consisting of 13 efforts set up to 1.60m. Of the initial 28 pairs, 11 went clear and within the time allowed of 74 seconds, including Alex Matz (USA) and Cashew CR, Beat Mändli (SUI) and Dsarie, Alise Oken (USA) and Gelvera, Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and James Kann Cruz, Nayel Nassar (EGY) and Igor van de Wittenmoere, Andrew Bourns (IRL) and Sea Topblue, Daniel Bluman (ISR) and Gemma W, Margie Goldstein-Engle (USA) and Dicas, Devin Ryan (USA) and Eddie Blue, Brian Moggre (USA) and MTM Vivre le Reve, and Rene Dittmer (GER) and Corsica X.

Rounding out the podium were Devin Ryan (USA) and LL Show Jumpers LLC’s, Eddie Blue (VDL Zirocco Blue x Marlon) who clocked in at 34.22 seconds. The long-time pair, though experienced in the highest levels of competition were not the fastest in the field. Demonstrating a calculated approach relying on the 14-year-old Royal Dutch Sport Horse Dutch Warmblood’s (KWPN) stride the pair were able to earn themselves a podium position in the end against two of the top riders in the league. Ryan reflected on his long-time partner, Eddie Blue stating, “He really is quite a fighter. You know, at home in the stables and everything he has a big personality. He’s a bit cheeky and when he goes in the ring, he just loves his job. He puts his ears forward every time he goes in the ring. He likes being on the stage.”