Daniel Coyle: Olympic showjumper aims to come back stronger

Speaking to BBC News NI from the Dublin Horse Show, the Ardmore man said he had somewhat mixed emotions following the Paris games, but can look back fondly on the experience.

“It’s a shame we didn’t come away with a medal at the Olympics, it’s disheartening in one way, but I could not be prouder of her [Legacy],” he said.

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

They had posted three clear rounds earlier, 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, the duo had their first fence down of the Olympics and the medal chance had gone.

Coyle said it was still amazing to look back on his journey from riding horses around Eglinton, County Londonderry, to finding himself in the magnificent Château de Versailles venue in Paris in front of thousands of people.

“When I rode into that arena on Legacy, it was a bit emotional,” he admitted.

He said it was an incredible honour to represent Team Ireland and said they can hold their heads high with the performance.

“So many people have come up to us and said how much of a good job we did and how we did the country proud,” he told BBC News NI.

Despite the Los Angeles games being four years away, Coyle said he would love another crack at an Olympics and use the experience he has learned from Paris.

“I can’t wait for the next one and I really wish we could do it all again,” he said.

“A lot can happen in that time but for sure we would love to be going back – I think for both of us we would maybe even be going in a bit more confident the next time.”