DERRY’s Daniel Coyle is confirmed to take part in the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final 2025 at CHI Geneva on Friday, December 12th. Coyle has risen to number nine in the world in the latest FEI Longines world rankings.

“It is my first time to compete in the class. Usually, we just go to Geneva for the Grand Prix, but last year we were there and Ariel [Grange, owner] said to me ‘I want to be in this class next year if we come back’, so it is nice that we were able to do that,” Coyle told The Irish Field. “We are excited to be going back there, it’s a great show and an exciting class. I am not 100% sure yet on what horses we will take over.”

There have only ever been two Irish winners of the prestigious final since it began in 2001. Jessica Kurten won in 2007 with the Lady Georgina Forbes-owned Castle Forbes Libertina and Billy Twomey took victory in 2011 aboard Tinka’s Serenade. In the history of the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final, Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat stands out for his remarkable achievement of winning the class three times, each with a different horse: Jalisca Solier (2010), Alamo (2018) and Venard de Cerisy (2023).

USA’s Kent Farrington continues to top the world rankings and is therefore the first name on the list for the Top 10 final. British compatriots Scott Brash and Ben Maher have swopped places in the rankings, Scott rising to number two ahead of Maher while reigning Olympic champion Christian Kukuk (GER) sits fourth.

The remaining riders for the Top 10 final are Gilles Thomas, Richard Vogel, Harrie Smolders, Julien Epaillard and Steve Guerdat. World number eight, USA’s Laura Kraut, will not travel to Geneva and therefore the place is offered down the line and will be filled by three-time winner Guerdat, who is ranked 13th in the world.

Longines League of Nations 2026

Separately, Ireland is confirmed as one of the top 10 qualified nations for the third edition of the Longines League of Nations for 2026. Ireland finished third of the 10 teams in this year’s league standings.

The Longines League of Nations 2026 will again feature four qualifying legs in Abu Dhabi (UAE), Ocala (USA), Rotterdam (NED) and St Tropez - Gassin (FRA). Only the top eight ranked teams will advance to the final, which will again be held in Barcelona.

The 10 teams are USA, Belgium, Ireland, Germany, France, Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland and reigning champions Great Britain. The standout news for the 2026 edition is the return of Brazil to the series after participating in the inaugural edition in 2024. Brazil have claimed the final spot after securing 10th place in the Longines League of Nations Ranking and replace Sweden, who finished out of the top 10.