Ocala, Florida, USA – February 22, 2024 – A strong field of star-studded athletes representing 10 different nations gathered at the WEC Grand Arena to compete under the lights in the $35,000 Florida Coast Equipment Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 3*. At the end of the night, Daniel Coyle (IRL) continued his impressive winning ways, securing the victory aboard Ariel Grange’s Quintin (Quaprice Bois Margot x Emilion).
FEI Level III course designer Peter Grant (CAN) crafted the challenging track that allowed nine horse-and-rider combinations to return for the jump-off. With one round faster than the last it came down to a battle between Ireland and the United States.
Coyle was a bit surprised to see a good number of clears in the first round, “When I walked it, I thought it was going to be tough enough and not so many clears, but the horses seemed to like it and they all jumped quite good.”
Coyle secured clear first rounds on both his mounts, Farrel and Quintin. He returned first with Farrel, a 14-year-old Royal Dutch Sport Horse – Dutch Warmblood (KWPN) gelding (Cardento 933 x Stakkato), and an unfortunate rail cost him the top spot. “Farrel was very fast, meaning very handy. He’s not the fastest to gallop and doesn’t have the same speed as Quintin, so I took a few different turns with him. He jumped very well, we just had that cheap rail.”
Andre Thieme (GER) notched the first clear round in the jump-off, clocking 49.16 seconds aboard his mount Candid 14.
Thieme’s time was quickly matched by Sharn Wordley (NZL) on Della Wordley’s Brin d’Or de Haute Melen Z (Bamako De Muze x Baloubet Du Rouet). Piloting the agile 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding, Wordley blazed through the course in 47.49 seconds, setting a new benchmark.
However, victory remained up for grabs as Aaron Vale (USA) entered the arena on his fleet-footed partner Obi Wan (Centadel x Continue), owned by Thinkslikeahorse. Vale ramped up the pace with the 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding, clocking in at 45.23 seconds.
Just when it seemed unbeatable, Daniel Coyle returned with his second mount, Quintin. “Quintin is very fast across the ground, so I knew I didn’t have to do all of the very handy turns like I did with Farrel.”
Coyle guided the 14-year-old Royal Dutch Sport Horse – Dutch Warmblood (KWPN) gelding to a blistering fast track, crossing the timers in a mere 44.21 seconds, clinching the lion’s share of the prize money.
“Both of the horses were great. Thankfully, I had both of them in the class, so I could win with one of them,” laughed Coyle.
With an exciting remainder of the circuit ahead, Coyle plans to showcase his talented string of horses owned by Ariel Grange. “Plans always change, but I think Legacy will make an appearance next week, just so she’s competed before doing the five-star. I think I will bring Incredible back for the four-star. Quintin and Farrel are getting a shot this week to do something great. We have a great group of horses at the moment; it’s just our job to switch them around and give them the time off they deserve.”
Final Results – $35,000 Florida Coast Equipment Grand Prix Qualifier CSI 3*
1) Daniel Coyle (IRL) & Quintin: 2010 KWPN gelding by Quaprice Bois Margot x Emilion, Ariel Grange: 0 / 0 / 44.21
2) Aaron Vale (USA) & Obi Wan: 2012 Oldenburg gelding by Centadel x Continue, Thinkslikeahorse: 0 / 0 / 45.23
3) Sharn Wordley (NZL) & Brin d’Or de Hauten Melen Z: 2014 Zangersheide gelding by Bamako De Muze x Baloubet Du Rouet Della Wordley: 0 / 0 / 47.49
4) Brooke Kemper (USA) & Seaview Demonstration: 2015 Irish Sport Horse gelding by Fss Correlli Bravo, Cm Sporthorses, LLC: 0 / 0 / 48.69
5) Andre Thieme (GER) & Candid 14: 2012 Mecklenburg gelding by Cellestial x Converter 2, Andre Thieme: 0 / 0 / 49.16
6) Sean Jobin (CAN) & Arkuga: 2011 AES gelding by Arko III x Heartbreaker, Antrim Equestrian: 0 / 4 / 47.49
7) Daniel Coyle (IRL) & Farrel: 2010 KWPN gelding by Cardento 933 x Stakkato, Ariel Grange: 0 / 4 / 48.14
8) Michael Walton (USA) & Blues: 2013 Westphalian gelding by Untouched x Chacco-blue, Mia Marano: 0 / 4 / 54.41
9) Mallory Vale (USA) & Gray’s Inn: 2014 Warmblood gelding by Cannavaro x Oscar, Thinkslikeahorse: 0 / 8 / 51.76
10) Mark Bluman (COL) & Quick Chick 3: 2015 Holsteiner mare by Quo Vados x Capitol I, Mark Bluman: 4 / 72.19
11) Dorothy Douglas (USA) & MTM PABLO: 2013 Hanoverian gelding by Perigueux x Contendro I, Davenport Farms: 4 / 73.08
12) Will Simpson (USA) & Es Keminko N: 2015 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Grand Slam VDL, Will Simpson Stables Inc.: 4 / 74.48
Source: Press Release from the World Equestrian Center
Photos: © WEC / Andrew Ryback Photography
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