‘Incredible’ London win for Ireland’s Daniel Coyle

Derry’s Daniel Coyle and the aptly-named gelding Incredible, scored Ireland’s second win of the 2024 London International Horse Show on Saturday night, taking victory in the five-star Longines Christmas Cracker.

Paris Olympian Coyle and the Ariel Grange-owned grey were second to go in the 13-horse jump-off, and set what proved to be an unbeatable clear in 30.52 seconds. Many of those who followed tried in vain to catch the World No. 12 from Ireland, including crowd favourite Ben Maher (GBR) who came closest and would finish as runner-up with Enjeu de Grisien in 31.52, while another British rider, Robert Whitaker, finished third aboard Gentlemen vh Veldhof.

A jubilant Coyle said: “This Show last year was so fast and so much fun, all my friends and family are here, so I really want to do well, and I really enjoyed tonight.”

Talking about his horse, Incredible, Coyle continued: “I haven’t even had him a year yet, so I’m still getting to know him, but he won a FEI World Cup Qualifier almost immediately after I got him, he’s done some Nations Cups this year, but it will be this time next year before I know everything about him and I’m trying to learn as much as I can, whilst doing this at this level, which isn’t easy, but he’s a good horse.”

Looking ahead to today’s (Sunday) FEI Jumping World Cup Qualifier, Coyle said: “I was third last year – I went as fast as I could but Scott [Brash] and Ben [Maher] still beat me, so I’m going to try to change that tomorrow. I really enjoyed it last year and it really drove me on for the Grand Prix, it made me more hungry.”