Luck of the Irish Strikes Again for Daniel Coyle in the $100,000 LeMieux Grand Prix CSI3*

It was a thrilling night of show jumping sport at World Equestrian Center – Ocala on Saturday, February 24, for the $100,000 LeMieux Grand Prix CSI3* during the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series. In a jump-off that had spectators on the edge of their seats, it was Irishman Daniel Coyle who reigned supreme aboard Farrel.

Canadian course designer Peter Grant set the track for the evening’s competition, where 15 horse-and-rider combinations from the talented international field of athletes jumped a clear first effort. That set the stage for an exhilarating jump-off, which came down to a battle between Coyle and Aaron Vale (USA), who each qualified their two mounts for the short course. In the end, it was Coyle and Farrel that stopped the clock in an unbeatable 37.24 seconds, landing from the final fence to wild cheers from the crowd.

Vale was close behind for second place with Obi Wan, a 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Centadel x Continue) owned by Thinkslikeahorse, in 38.07 seconds. Coyle slotted into third with Quintin, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding (Quaprice Bois Margot x Emilion) owned by Ariel Grange, in 38.52 seconds, and Vale claimed fourth with Prescott, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Lordanos x BB Carvallo) owned by Thinkslikeahorse, in 39.74 seconds.

“On Farrel, you can turn on half a stride,” explained Coyle of the 14-year-old KWPN gelding (Cardento 933 x Stakkato) owned by Ariel Grange. "He’s an amazing horse to turn back to a vertical. He’s very handy. Turning back so tight to the second to last jump, that’s all to do with the horse there. Aaron [Vale] would have done the same thing. We both took risks, but at the end it comes back to the horse and if you can nail it.

“The celebration in the end is the only part of the sport when we get to interact with the crowd,” continued Coyle. “It’s usually just the horse, the owners and the people, so when the audience comes out screaming and are having a great time, it makes it so special for us.” 

Click to watch Daniel Coyle’s winning jump-off with Farrel in the $100,000 LeMieux Grand Prix CSI3*.

Click to watch an interview with Daniel Coyle after his win in the $100,000 LeMieux Grand Prix CSI3*.

$100,000 LeMieux Grand Prix CSI3* Results: 

1 FARREL: 2010 KWPN gelding by Cardento 933 x Stakkato
Daniel Coyle (IRL), Ariel Grange: 0/0/37.24

2 OBI WAN: 2012 Oldenburg gelding by Centadel x Continue
Aaron Vale (USA), Thinkslikeahorse: 0/0/38.07

3 QUINTIN: 2010 KWPN gelding by Quaprice Bois Margot x Emilion
Daniel Coyle (IRL), Ariel Grange: 0/0/38.52

4 PRESCOTT: 2012 Holsteiner gelding by Lordanos x BB Carvallo
Aaron Vale (USA), Thinkslikahorse: 0/0/39.74

5 CRISTIANO OBOLENSKY: 2015 Hanoverian gelding by Cornet Obolensky x Stakkato
Gonzalo Busca (ESP), Gonzalo Busca: 0/0/40.97

6 CORDANI PS: 2014 Hanoverian mare by Balou Du Reventon x Baloubet Du Rouet
Andre Thieme (GER), Andre Thieme: 0/0/41.41

7 BRIN D’OR DE HAUTE MELEN Z: 2014 Zangersheide gelding by Bamako De Muze x Baloubet Du Rouet
Sharn Wordley (NZL), Della Wordley: 0/0/41.95

8 CON COLEUR: 2009 Hanoverian gelding by Contendro I x Couleur Rubin
Rebecca Conway (USA), Blue Hill Farm, LLC: 0/0/48.48

9 QUICK CHICK 3: 2015 Holsteiner mare by Quo Vados x Capitol I
Mark Bluman (COL), Mark Bluman: 0/4/40.52

10 ARKUGA: 2011 Anglo European gelding by Arko III x Heartbreaker
Sean Jobin (CAN), Antrim Equestrian: 0/4/43.26

11 CAPITALE 6: 2011 Holsteiner gelding by San Patrignano Cassini x For Pleasure
Charlie Jones (GBR), Morning Star Sporthorses, LLC: 0/8/40.78

12 MTM PABLO: 2013 Hanoverian gelding by Perigueux x Contendro I
Dorothy Douglas (USA), Davenport Farms: 0/8/42.17


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