Daniel Coyle & Farrel Cruise to the Top in the $200,000 Gary Yeomans Ford Grand Prix CSI4*

Ocala, FL – An unseasonably cold Saturday night didn’t deter a world-class field from contesting the $200,000 Gary Yeomans Ford Grand Prix CSI4*. Thirty athletes representing 15 countries took on the challenge, and in the end, it was World No. 11 Daniel Coyle (IRL) who piloted his longtime partner Farrel (Cardento 933 x Stakkato), owned by Ariel Grange, to a well-earned victory.

World-renowned course designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN), assisted by Peter Grant (CAN), set a technical track that tested accuracy and rideability throughout the WEC Grand Arena. Nine combinations rose to the occasion, producing clear rounds to advance to the jump-off.

New Zealand’s Sharn Wordley was first to return with Brin D’or De Haute Melen Z, but an unlucky rail stopped the clock at 39.24 seconds. Jelmer Hoekstra (NED) followed with a clean round aboard Lordy-P in 40.63 seconds, while Hilary Scott and Max Wachman gave the track a valiant effort but were unable to catch the early pace.

Flying down the ramp next, Coyle entered the ring aboard the small but speedy Farrel. He explained his approach going into the jump-off, “This year I’ve been very fast but have had a fence down. I could be two or three seconds faster, but with a fence down. So I decided to go a little slower and be second or third. So I went in with that in mind, but that also doesn’t always work, sometimes we kinda just go,” he laughed. 

Once the tone sounded, the pair were off. “The jump-off was quite straightforward,” Coyle said. “One to two, there were no real numbers. Then the double. When I walked, it was five strides across the center, and I didn’t think I was going to do that, but we did it, and that’s where I got an extra half a second on everybody, and he’s very good at turning no matter what the speed is.”

Coyle and Farrel powered through the final line, clearing the last oxer and stopping the timers in 39.24 seconds, a time that ultimately proved unbeatable.

Reflecting on his partnership with the now 16-year-old KWPN gelding, Coyle shared, “We’ve had Farrel since he just turned seven. He’s been amazing. He’s my most successful horse ever on paper, which a lot of people don’t know. In the last 10 years of my career, he’s won the most. From ranking classes to National Grands Prix, Nations Cups, he’s been my most successful horse ever. Everybody’s getting a bit older, including him, and I really wanted to win tonight, just for Farrel.”

Coyle also spoke about WEC – Ocala being his winter base alongside Ariel Grange’s Lothlorien Farm over the past two years. “This place just has everything,” he said. “All the top riders are starting to come here more, and it’s great for young horses. Unless you come here, you wouldn’t understand it. This is like a second home to me now. I just love it.”

Jessica Mendoza (GBR) came closest to matching Coyle’s time, piloting her own In The Air (Air Jordan x Indoctro) to a blazing jump-off round in 39.70 seconds to secure second place. Speaking about the 13-year-old KWPN mare, Mendoza said, “She’s a special lady, and she has her own way of doing it. She has the biggest heart for her size. I am very lucky to have her.”

Rounding out the podium was World No. 8 Nina Mallevaey (FRA), who delivered another strong performance aboard the 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare Nikka vd Bisschop (Emerald x Nabab De Rêve). Mallevaey, who describes the mare as “amazing and super powerful,” used those strengths to post a quick 40.11 seconds for third place. 

Looking ahead, Mallevaey is excited for the upcoming Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Ocala in February, where she captured three CSI5* ranking class victories last year, and hopes to return again for Longines League of Nations™ Ocala in March.

$200,000 Gary Yeomans Ford Grand Prix CSI4* Results 

1 FARREL: 2010 KWPN gelding by Cardento 933 x Stakkato 
Daniel Coyle (IRL), Ariel Grange: 0/0/39.24

2 IN THE AIR: 2013 KWPN mare by Air Jordan x Indoctro
Jessica Mendoza (GBR), Jessica Mendoza: 0/0/39.70

3 NIKKA VD BISSCHOP: 2013 Belgian Warmblood mare by Emerald x Nabab de Reve 
Nina Mallevaey (FRA), Rein Family LLC: 0/0/40.11

4 LORDY-P: 2016 KWPN stallion 
Jelmer Hoekstra (NED), Seth Vallhonrat: 0/0/40.63

5 H5 KNOCKANDO: 2015 KWPN mare by Comme II Faut 5 x Stakkato
Eduardo Menezes (BRA), H5 Sporthorses LLC: 0/0/ 41.10

6 LEXINGTON: 2014 Belgian Warmblood by Etoulon x Chacco Blue
Max Wachman (IRL), Coolmore Showjumping: 0/0/41.99

7 OAKS MILKY WAY: 2007 Australian Warmblood mare by Clearway x Jalisco B
Hilary Scott (AUS), Hilary Scott: 0/0/43.97

8 DO IT EASY: 2013 Selle Francais gelding by Vigo Cece x Laeken
Tom Wachman (IRL), Coolmore Showjumping: 0/4/38.67

9 BRIN D’OR DE HAUTE MELEN Z: 2014 Zangersheide gelding by Bamako De Muza x Baloubet du Rouet Sharn Wordley (NZL), Della Wordley: 0/4/40.93

10 FLEXI K: 2013 Irish Sport Horse gelding by Flex A Bill x Luidam 
Francis Derwin (IRL), Kerry Anne LLC: 4/75.65

Explore the daily class schedule, orders of go, class counts, and final results on HorseShowing.com. For real-time scoring, check out Ryegate.Live.

Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
Videos available at ClipMyHorse.TV

Make sure to visit the WEC Blog and follow us on social media @worldequestriancenter for full coverage on all feature classes! 

This event is made possible through the support of our generous sponsors and marketing partners, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, and Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau.