Coyle ‘proud’ despite missing out on Paris medal

There would be no medal for Ardmore’s Daniel Coyle in the Olympic individual showjumping final at the magnificent Chateau de Versailles venue outside of Paris.

On a brutally tough course for the final, the duo looked to be heading for their fourth clear round of the week and a place in the jump-off for the medals.

The Ireland duo had posted three clear rounds, including two in the team competition and another in the individual qualifier and expectations were high they would contend for the medals.

But two thirds of the way round, on a tight left hand turn to a tough double, Coyle and Legacy had their first fence down of the Olympics and the medal chance had gone.

Three more followed in quick succession and the Northern Irishman decided enough was enough and retired.

Only three of the thirty starters managed a clear round.

The gold medal went to German Christian Kukuk on Checker 47 who won the three-rider jump-off.

Despite the disappointment, Coyle was proud of his efforts on his Olympics debut.

“It was all going so well. I lost my stirrup after the fence at the bottom and didn't pick up the best distance and it was very hard for her to jump it.

“I mean, she also jumped amazing today, it just didn't come off.

“I'm proud to be representing Derry here this week as well. Yes, very, very proud and I'll go back with my head held high."

Even in the aftermath of a disappointing finish, Coyle is already looking ahead to Los Angeles in 2028.

“It's a hard luck story at this point, but I look forward to the next one.

“It's a part of everybody's plan, but I guess when I come here and I'm prepared and the horse is prepared and we already jumped two clear rounds for the team and then also a clear yesterday in the qualifier, it just caught up with us at the end.

“I think people know I can do it now and maybe even me."