NOT to be outdone by his brother’s success at Wellington International, Daniel Coyle reminded everyone of why he is now ranked as number nine in the world show jumping rankings, with another successful weekend at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala.
Coyle partnered with Urville Z to win Sunday’s two-star $65,000 1.45m Grand Prix with the fastest jump-off time of 35.52. The class saw 38 starters of whom nine jumped clear in round one to book a place against the clock. Three of these faulted second time out, leaving six who managed to jump double clear. Coyle’s nearest rivals were Samantha Scharfer (USA) on James Bond HX, who stopped the clock in 36.38 for second place, and Nicholas Dello Joio (USA) on Elvis De L’Othain who clocked 36.58 for a very close third. Richie Moloney was unfortunate to incur a single time penalty with Skelwith Diamond Lady in the first round, which ruled them out of a place in the jump-off and put them in 10th place at the finish.
“I can’t say enough good things about her,” said Daniel, speaking of Urville Z. “She’s done two Grands Prix and won both of them. If I can ride her well, she’s going to catch the jumps, which is a really nice feeling. It’s special because she rarely has a fence down, and if there is one, it’s my fault. Even in the warm-up, she doesn’t miss a fence, and at home she hasn’t touched a rail. She’s so special.”
The younger Coyle sibling wasn’t just as fortunate in the 32-strong four-star $200,000 1.55m Grand Prix when he rode a blistering jump-off round with 16-year-old Farrel, but rolled a pole to pick up four faults, albeit with a fast time. The pair still finished on the podium in third and took home $30,000 for their efforts. Jessica Mendoza (GBR) won the class with In The Air in a time of 45.87 to win $60,000, while Ashley Vogel (USA) on Otis Blue were runners-up in 49.57 to claim $40,000. Cork’s Shane Sweetnam and Gilona AO placed sixth in the class. Seven combinations had contested the timed decider.
In the ribbons
Coyle had made a good start at the five-day four-star fixture at Ocala with a runner-up finish in Wednesday’s four-star $1,000 1.40m two-phase class on board Incredible. The pair finished just behind Austrian winner Peter Petschenig on Hocus Pocus 111 Z.
The Derry native then rode the 10-year-old gelding Calippo 57 to win the day’s four-star $32,000 1.45m speed class in a time of 64.49, just ahead of Samuel Parot (CHI) on Tiffany de Olid (64.72).
Wednesday’s $1,000 Under-25 1.40m speed class saw Francis Derwin and Fox Chapel finish in ninth place.
Thursday’s four-star $117,000 1.50m Grand Prix qualifier saw Coyle and Incredible finish in eighth place. There were 41 starters in the class, 12 of whom jumped clear in round one to proceed to the jump-off, where just five remained clear. Sweetnam’s 17-year-old daughter Olivia (USA) rode the well-named Epic to win the class in a jump-off time of 38.08.
Friday’s two-star $32,000 1.45m Grand Prix qualifier saw three Irish riders in the top 10, out of 44 starters. Derwin was best of these in fifth place with Gospel Tame (39.15), followed by Sweetnam on Pia Maria H in seventh (39.77) and Moloney on Daisycutter in 10th (42.34). First place went to Molly Ashe Cawley (USA) on Berdien (38.21).
The day’s four-star $32,000 1.45m Winning Round class saw Sweetnam and Gilona AO finish equal ninth.
On Saturday, the two-star $10,000 1.40m speed class saw Gavin Harley and Holidays de Riverland place sixth when jumping clear in 73.93, while Moloney and Zazu BW placed eighth (82.37).