Ocala, Florida, USA – March 08, 2020 – Daniel Coyle (IRL) finished the 2019/2020 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League the same way he started it—with a victory.

After beginning the season with a win in Vancouver (CAN), Coyle rode Farrel to the top of the $100,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Ocala CSI 3*-W (USA), besting an eight-horse jump-off. The duo crossed the timers of Olaf Petersen, Jr.’s (GER) shortened course without having any penalties attributed to them and in 37.05 seconds.

Margie Engle (USA) & Dicas

Margie Engle (USA) and Dicas finished second backed by a clean scorecard and a final time of 37.37 second during the tiebreaker.

Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) & Cristalline

Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) and Cristalline were also double clear, finishing third after a jump-off effor in 37.96 seconds.

“I think everything was going really well until the last turn. I had a little slip there, and I thought everything was going great until that point. I thought, ‘Have I lost it?’” Coyle detailed. “When I went through the finish and [saw] that I was able to catch the [leaders]—both of them have fantastic horses and are fantastic riders as well—I was delighted to beat them!”

Daniel Coyle (IRL) & Farrel 

Last to go and Engle to beat, Coyle executed a very different plan than the then-leader. Engle used Dicas’ massive stride to her advantage, while Coyle relied on Farrel’s swift turning, along with a sheer will to win.

“[Farrel] is a very small horse. He doesn’t have as big a jump as most horses, but he just believes he’s one of the best,” Coyle said. “Belief always overdoes talent, and he obviously has loads of that as well, but it’s his way, and he can do things that other horses can’t do.”

Daniel Coyle (IRL) & Farrel 

The victory secured Coyle a place in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final, which will take place in Las Vegas (USA), 15-19 April 2020. The appearance would mark Coyle’s first in a championship.

“In the middle of last year, [my team] decided to try and aim for the [Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final]. Until today, it seemed we didn’t have enough points. It’ll be my first World Cup Final, and I’m really looking forward to it.”

For full results, please click here.

Source: Press release by Catie Staszak for FEI – Fédération Equestre Internationale

Photos: © FEI / Shannon Brinkman