DERRY’S Daniel Coyle picked up another top tier placing in the first ‘Saturday Night Lights’ Grand Prix of the Winter Equestrian Festival, finishing fifth aboard Sue and Ariel Grange’s consistent Cita. Last to go in the two-star $86,000 Marshall & Sterling Insurance Grand Prix, Coyle was on track to record his second Grand Prix victory in the space of a week, but one rail on the floor meant he had to settle for fifth place, despite clocking the fastest time of 39.49 seconds.

Mexican course builder Ana Catalina Harris Cruz saw eight of the 44 horse and rider combinations go through to the jump-off, which featured Olympians and veteran show jumpers, alongside up and coming young riders.

It was Mexico’s Olympian Enrique Gonzalez that emerged victorious on this occasion aboard Chacna (Chacco-Blue x Narew XX).

Third to go in the eight horse jump-off, Gonzalez completed the first double clear of the class and set the target at 40.36, proving too fast for those to follow.

America’s Margie Engle took the runner-up spot on the podium with Indigo, breaking the beam in 41.02 seconds, just ahead of Laura Kraut and Nouvelle in third (0/0 41.35).

The Mexican winner is back at the Wellington venue for the first time since 2011 and has qualified for the FEI World Cup Finals in Omaha, Nebraska, at the end of March, as he is currently leading the West Coast standings.

“We are here for the whole season, so it is definitely a very nice way to start, and hopefully we can keep it up for the reason of the season,” a delighted Gonzalez said afterwards.

Week three of the circuit, which is sponsored by Adequan, kicked off on Tuesday and features CSI*** competition. Highlights included Thursday’s $35,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup round three, tonight’s $130,000 Adequan Grand Prix, and Sunday’s $35,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic.