Ireland’s Daniel Coyle wins Great American $500,000 Grand Prix at HITS Ocala

Derry’s Daniel Coyle claimed the biggest Show Jumping purse in the United States on Sunday, after he guided the Ariel Grange-owned Legacy to top spot in the Great American $500,000 Grand Prix at HITS Ocala in Florida.

A thrilling 10-horse jump-off featuring athletes from six countries, saw Coyle and Legacy post a winning clear in a time of 38.52 seconds, with Kristen Vanderveen (USA) and Bull Run’s Risen finishing as runners-up in 39.14.

Daniel Coyle and Legacy (Photo: HITS)

“I did my first ever five-star Nations Cup here many years ago, so I always have a good feeling about [HITS Ocala],” expressed Coyle. “Today I showed that. It’s an amazing big arena, with nice jumps, prize money and people come. It’s as good as [anywhere in the world]. My other horses weren’t going to plan [in Wellington] so I decided not to use Legacy. Jordan [Coyle] said there’s a very good class in Ocala, so I decided perfect, I’ll go there, and luckily I won!”

Rowan Willis (AUS) and Billy Guilder placed third, while Daniel Coyle’s older brother Jordan Coyle took fourth place with the Elan Farm-owned Ariso.

“I would say I had a big advantage today,” said Daniel. “I was third in the jump off, but already Jordan had as good around as you probably could have, so that put pressure on me to go as fast as I could. Thankfully that paid off because if he hadn’t done that, I maybe wouldn’t have put as much pressure on myself!”

RESULTS: Great American $500,000 Grand Prix

Horse / Rider / Country / Owner / Faults | Time
1. Legacy / Daniel Coyle / IRL / Ariel Grange / 0 | 38.526
2. Bull Run’s Risen / Kristen Vanderveen / USA/ Bull Run Jumpers Inc / 0 | 39. 148
3. Billy Guilder / Rowan Willis / AUS / Rowan Willis and Peter Moore / 0 | 39.520
4. Ariso / Jordan Coyle / IRL / Elan Farm / 0 | 39.998
5. Cellisto / Andre Thieme / GER / Andre Thieme / 0 | 40.006
6. Eddie Blue / Devin Ryan / USA / LL Show Jumpers, LLC / 0 | 41.154
7. Valentine Car / Sharn Wordley / NZL / Fernando Cardenas, Sr / 4 | 38.052
8. Fedor / Scott Keach / AUS / Southern Cross Equestrian, LLC / 4 | 44.607
9. Kayack / Cassio Rivetti / BRA / HF Farms LLC / 8 | 41.715
10. Hangover / Devin Ryan / USA / Sascha Abramson / 12 | 43.682