Derry's Daniel Coyle secures runner-up finish with Farrel at Ocala

Irish show jumper Daniel Coyle, a native of Ardmore, started the new year strong, securing a prestigious second-place finish in the 1.45m Florida Coast Equipment Grand Prix Qualifier at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida.

Riding the phenomenal 16-year-old gelding Farrel, owned by Ariel Grange, Coyle delivered a flawless performance. The duo navigated the jump-off clear round in a competitive time of 35.66 seconds, ultimately finishing just over a second behind the world number one-ranked rider, America’s Kent Farrington, who took top honors with Orafina.

Holders Derry face Donegal at Celtic Park in Dr McKenna Cup semi-final

The sides were due to meet in the opening fixture of Section C of the competition, only for the match at O'Donnell Park to be postponed due to safety concerns in sub-zero conditions

The result marks a strong opening for Coyle as the first of ten weeks of international competition gets underway in Florida.

Coyle is a key member of the Irish show jumping team and was part of the 2024 Olympic squad in Paris.