DERRY’S Jordan Coyle scored yet another win, albeit a joint one, at Dublin Horse Show on Saturday evening when he and the 17-year-old gelding Eristov shared the top spot in the Defender Puissance with last year’s winner, Rachel Proudley (GBR) riding the 12-year-old gelding Easy Boy de Laubry Z.

The Laya Arena at the RDS played host to the class in Saturday’s sunshine and saw a select line-up of nine horses and riders take on the big red wall, seven of whom were representing the home nation, with one Dutch rider as well as Britain’s Proudley.

Derry’s Daniel Coyle and the nine-year-old gelding VDL Mourinho were first to take on the challenge, jumping three fences (in round one only) before clearing the wall at 1.80m. Sligo’s Richard Howley was next up with the 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse stallion French Connection and they too jumped clear.

Dutch representative Zoi Snels and the eight-year-old gelding Jiminez Z, winners of a Puissance in The Netherlands, were third to go and also remained fault-free, with previous RDS Puissance winner on two occasions Jordan Coyle following on Eristov to record another clear round. Fellow Irishman Paddy O’Donnell, a top-class trainer and horse producer, wasn’t so fortunate with the 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Quality Command, when they picked up four faults and put themselves out of contention.

Kildare’s Mikey Pender and the 10-year-old gelding Coblue PS jumped clear, as did Proudley (GBR), the first female to win the class in 60 years in 2026, on Easy Boy de Laubry Z, Tipperary’s Andrew Hodgins on the animated 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Shanaclough Luichew and Longford’s Derek McCoppin on 10-year-old Explosief’s Legacy, the only mare in the class.

The Puissance in Dublin is about much more than just the big red wall and The Irish Field’s advertising manager Brendan McArdle once again took on the role of Master of Ceremonies and ensured the crowd were entertained between rounds, with music, singing, ‘kiss cam’ and, Brendan’s forte, a Mexican wave around the main arena.

Joint winner Rachel Proudley of Great Britain competes on Easy Boy de Laubry Z, wearing a Mayo jersey, in the Defender Puissance during day four of the Gallagher Dublin Horse Show at the RDS in Dublin \ Paul Phelan/Sportsfile

Mayo jersey

Eight proceeded to round two and, while the wall was raised to 1.95m, Brendan got the music pumped up and the Mexican wave going.

This time, competitors only had to jump the triple bar before taking on the wall. The younger Coyle brother, Daniel was out of luck and faulted at the wall, while the seven others jumped clear. It was an exciting round, as much to the delight of onlookers, Proudley came in wearing a Mayo jersey and soared over the wall, while Hodgins’ mount Shanaclough Luichew gave a display reminiscent of the Spanish Riding School with the rider demonstrating great skill in managing the horse’s exuberance.

Round three saw the wall raised to 2.05m and, while the arena party attended to that, modern hits were accompanied by the well-known number one from 150 years ago, Molly Malone, which those in attendance made a great attempt at singing.

Calm

Howley, Snels and Pender each knocked a brick out of the wall this time round, with the other four progressing to round four at 2.15m - but not before a rendition of YMCA and another Mexican wave from the crowd.

Jordan and Eristov were the epitome of calm, coming back to a walk after the triple bar before clearing the wall. Proudley, back in her show jacket, was in next and, although Easy Boy de Laubry Z nudged a brick, it stayed in place. Hodgins again demonstrated super riding skills, but this time knocked a brick and picked up four faults, while McCoppin, like Proudley, nudged a brick but remained clear.

Round five was the final round, with the wall now standing at a colossal 2.22m and the sun glinting off the top row of white bricks.

Jordan Coyle calmly cantered in as first to go, but knocked a brick out this time to pick up four faults. Proudley was back in the Mayo jersey with the crowd cheering as she entered the arena. The pair cleared the triple bar and everyone held their breath as she jumped the wall, but a brick fell to leave her on level pegging with Coyle. Regardless of what the final result would be, Brendan told her to do a lap of the arena, for being such a great sport.

McCoppin was the last to go and was unlucky to have the triple bar down. He cantered on to the wall, but the pressure was too great and it came down, leaving him on eight faults for third place.

Jordan Coyle had earned his place on top of the RDS podium for a fifth time, this time accompanied by Rachel Proudley. It was a poignant moment for Coyle, as this was Eristov’s last show.

Joint winner Jordan Coyle competing on Eristov in the Defender Puissance during day four of the Gallagher Dublin Horse Show at the RDS in Dublin \ Paul Phelan/Sportsfile

Retirement

Afterwards, Coyle said of his mount: “When I went to America, I only saw horses like him (Eristov) on TV. We got him as a nine-year-old, I had never jumped a three-star class. We ended up winning two World Cup qualifiers.

“He actually never really got a chance at the proper, proper five-stars because my ranking wasn’t good enough. When he did get a chance, it was often in Spruce Meadows. He was placed in the Queen’s Cup. He was just an unbelievable horse and he’s the most kind horse. He did speed classes. He did the Derby. He did Grands Prix. He’s done everything!

“He actually isn’t really finished, I just don’t really want to be doing it to him any more. So, he’s going to go to Derry now.

“We have a lot of young horses there. He’s going to look after all the foals for me alongside Picador.

“Picador was also one of the first ones and an unbelievable horse and he’s back home in Derry also - I’m collecting them all back there, but I’ll keep them as long as I can.”