Daniel Coyle Flies to the Top in the $100,000 Wheels Up Grand Prix

The crowd was electric at World Equestrian Center – Ocala on Saturday, February 3, 2024, to watch the $100,000 Wheels Up Grand Prix. Thirty of the world’s best athletes representing nine different nations entered the WEC Grand Arena in hopes of galloping away with the top prize, but in the end it was Daniel Coyle (IRL), fresh off of two FEI Jumping World Cup™ victories in Europe, who continued his hot streak by clinching both first and second place.

Nine horse-and-rider combinations jumped a clear first round over the track designed by FEI Level IV course designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN). Coyle qualified both of his mounts, both owned by Ariel Grange, for the short course. He first jumped fault-free with Quintin, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding (Quaprice Bois Margot x Emilion), and then duplicated the effort with Farrel, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding (Cardento 933 x Stakkato). While Coyle’s jump-off time of 38.358 seconds with Quintin looked unbeatable, the Irishman ended up being his own biggest competitor, shaving almost a second off the time with Farrel for victory in 37.638 seconds.

“It was a great course,” shared Coyle. “Leopoldo Palacios is the best course builder there is. The most difficult for sure, but most people like that. I was lucky because I was able to go first on Quintin. He has a bigger stride, but Farrel is fast in a different way – he’s handy, neat and tidy in the way he jumps. I knew I had a good round on Quintin, but I also knew I could do a whole lot more with Farrel, and I took quite a few risks. 

“We go to lots of different shows, but there is nowhere in the world like WEC,” continued Coyle. “It’s just mind-blowing from the first minute you step in the door, to somewhere you go get coffee, to a warm-up arena, to an indoor arena, to the stables; you could go on and on. Anybody who hasn’t been here, I just suggest you come here, because it’s the only way you’ll understand.”

Sharn Wordley (NZL) was just behind Coyle with both of his rides. With Valentine Car, a 15-year-old American Warmblood gelding (Son of Juan Car x Galiani CH) owned by Fernando Cardenas, Wordley found his quickest time of 38.927 seconds for third place. He was just a second slower with his second entry Champion League, an 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Cador 5 x Contendro I) owned by Della Wordley, in 39.454 seconds, finishing in fourth place. 

Watch an interview with Daniel Coyle after his win in the $100,000 Wheels Up Grand Prix.

$100,000 Wheels Up Grand Prix Results: 

1 Farrel, Daniel Coyle (IRL), Ariel Grange: 0 | 0 | 37.638
2 Quintin, Daniel Coyle (IRL), Ariel Grange: 0 | 0 | 38.358
3 Valentine Car, Sharn Wordley (NZL), Fernando Cardenas: 0 | 0 | 38.927
4 Champion League, Sharn Wordley (NZL), Della Wordley: 0 | 0 | 39.454
5 Capitale 6, Charlie Jones (GBR), Morning Star Sporthorses, LLC: 0 | 0 | 39.484
6 Coquelicot VH Heuvelland Z, Sean Jobin (CAN), Foxridge Farms Stables: 0 | 0 | 43.378
7 Chanel Du Calvaire, Francois Lamontagne (CAN), Francois Lamontagne: 0 | 4 | 41.053
8 Any, Kady Abrahamson (USA), Abrahamson Equestrian LLC: 0 | 4 | 41.774
9 Cool Ray NA, Fernando Cardenas (COL), B&C, LLC: 0 | 16 | 56.396
10 Prescott, Aaron Vale (USA), Thinkslikeahorse: 4 | 74.678
 

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World Equestrian Center features two premier equestrian and multidisciplinary venues in Ocala, Florida, and Wilmington, Ohio.

These exclusive facilities comprise state-of-the-art arenas, expansive stadiums, versatile outdoor space, sporting fields and well-appointed exposition centers. An abundance of lodging options and luxury accommodations are conveniently located on-site, along with shopping and dining throughout each property.

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Media Contact:
Justin Garner
justin.garner@wec.net