Ocala, United States – February 01, 2026 – International competition during Week V of the 2026 Winter Spectacular Show Series at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) came to a close on Sunday as 19 horse-and-rider combinations contested the $65,000 Golden Ocala Grand Prix CSI 2*. Fresh off a win in Saturday night’s Grand Prix CSI 4*, Ireland’s Daniel Coyle (IRL) returned to the WEC Grand Arena and prevailed once again, this time aboard his brand-new partner, Urville Z (Ukato x Crown Z), owned by Ariel Grange.
FEI Level IV course designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN), with assistance from FEI Level III course designer Peter Grant (CAN), set an impressive track. Nine combinations representing Australia, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Belgium, Brazil, and the United States advanced to the jump-off in a competitive battle for top honors.
Maleah Lang McMahon (AUS) led off the jump-off riding Elalisa, delivering an efficient round but unfortunately lowering a rail in 47.31 seconds. Vaclav Stanek (CZE) followed, guiding Ariel Grange’s 12-year-old Canadian Sport Horse gelding Langley (Lansdowne x Andiamo) to a fast and clear effort in 44.21 seconds, immediately setting the standard.
Fellow Lothlorien rider Daniel Coyle (IRL) entered the ring next, coming off his victory the night before in the $200,000 Gary Yeomans Ford Grand Prix CSI4* aboard his longtime partner Farrel. On Sunday, Coyle returned with a different ride, Urville Z, his brand-new partner who has already begun to build an impressive list of accomplishments and continued that momentum into the jump-off.
“Back to the wall was the one place I knew I could turn back, and if I had a good stride she could take it,” Coyle explained. “Vaclav had a great round with his horse, and I got to watch the last few jumps, and his turn back to the wall looked pretty fast. I’ve been second quite a lot recently, so I decided to let her go, and there’s no better horse to do that with. She’s a real fighter, and whatever I put her to, she gives it to me.” Coyle and Urville Z answered the challenge with several impressively tight turns, stopping the clock in an uncatchable 42.77 seconds to secure the win.
McKayla Langmeier (USA) came closest to catching Coyle’s time, piloting Rafferty Farm LLC’s nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion Riesling van de Gaathoeve (Iron Man vd Padenborre x Diamant de Semilly) to a clear round in 43.26 seconds to secure second place, pushing Stanek into third.
The 13-year-old Zangersheide mare has wasted no time making an impact, and Coyle was quick to praise her. “Last week was my first time showing her. I got her right before Christmas. Last week she jumped the national, and won the Futures Prix. The rider didn’t help much. I was struggling last week and didn’t really know how to ride her, and she still won,” he expressed. “I am really excited for her. Already, in her first class, she won, in her second class, she was second, and in her third class, which was a ranking class, she was second, and today was my fourth class with her, and she also won. So, shes had a first, two seconds, and a first in her first four classes. I haven’t done that before, so that’s pretty good.”
That rapid success has already translated into confidence in the partnership. “My favorite part about her is that she’s always trying to please you, which you don’t always get in a new partnership. She wants to work with you, and I think that’s going to be her biggest quality.”
Final Results – $65,000 Golden Ocala Grand Prix CSI 2*
1) Daniel Coyle (IRL) & Urville Z – 0 / 0 – 42.77
2) McKayla Langmeier (USA) & Riesling van de Gaathoeve – 0 / 0 – 43.26
3) Vaclav Stanek (CZE) & Langley – 0 / 0 – 44.21
Source: Press Release from World Equestrian Center
Photos: © WEC / Andrew Ryback Photography
