Set a speed format, the class welcomed top contenders on their experienced horses. 

Second in the order, Coyle and the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Clinton x Heartbreaker) put it all on the line, coming home in 63.10 seconds, leaving the rest of the class to chase him. Twenty-five rounds later, they still sat at the top, winning by a margin of three seconds.

New Zealand Olympian Uma O’Neill (NZL) took second with Luigi D’Eclipse (Catoki x Calato) in 66.16, and in third was Kyle King (USA) and Kayenne Z (Kannan GFE x Canezaro) in 68.09. 

“Incredible is hard sometimes to go fast on because he’s a bit of a slower mover and a slower jumper compared to [my other horses],” Coyle said. “There were a few [places to] leave out [strides]. I know from the second to third jump, most people did seven [strides] there, and I did six. I knew if I did [the leave-outs], I wouldn’t be far away.”

Coyle and Incredible have been partnered for almost a year and a half. In that short time Incredible has helped propel Coyle to number 14 in the world, and accompanied the Irishman to the 2025 FEI World Cup Finals in Basel where they finished top 12.

“Jeroen Dubbeldam called me and Ariel [Grange] and said, ‘I’ve seen a horse and I think it would fit into your string really well. Maybe you should try it,’” Coyle elaborated on how Incredible ended up in his stable. “So we went and tried the horse. And in the last year he has had some incredible results. I’m very lucky to have him.”

Coyle often produces his own horses to compete at the higher levels, but with Incredible, Eric Ten Cate (NED) had already laid the groundwork for a winning mindset.

“A lot of people spend a lot of time getting horses going nicely and getting them riding nicely for the next person,” Coyle explained. “Eric taught him how to be competitive. So that’s one side of him I didn’t really have to do. I just had to learn how to ride him basically.”

This week, three Coyles will ride on team Ireland in the $75,000 CSIO4* Nations Cup 1.55m. With his brother, Jordan, and cousin Christian, along with Conor Swail, Daniel hopes to reproduce their 2023 win.

“I think we have a good chance,” he said of Sunday’s events. “Conor has been on every team with me here. I know there’s three Coyles, but there’s also a very good fourth man in Conor so I feel confident.”

Prior to Sunday’s action, there is still plenty of FEI action to unfold in the Fort Grand Prix Arena, beginning with Thursday’s CSI4* $31,100USD Fobi 1.45m and CSI2* $31,100USD Friends of tbird 1.45m.