Last Sunday, France's Francois Xavier Boudant and Brazyl du Mezel won the Longines International Grand Prix of Ireland – taking home a title that was last won by a French pair in 1995 when Patrice Delaveau and Roxane de Gruchy took the top honours. Throughout the prestigious Dublin Grand Prix’s 89 years of history, Boudant became the third ever French winner at the 2023-edition of the event. "This was my first time in Dublin, and it was amazing," Boudant said about the traditional Irish venue. "There are so many people who love horses; the atmosphere is fantastic."
And with this we look back at the Grand Prix, with our very last photo special from Dublin for now.
All photos © Mackenzie Clark, all rights reserved. If copyright violations occur, a penalty fee will apply.
"For us, he is the best horse there is. He always wants to give his all, he wants to do his best. He is very careful, he is such a nice horse to have, he gives his all to his rider," said Francois Xavier Boudant of Brazyl du Mezel.
"The course was classic but big, and the time was good – it was a little bit short, but just good enough," Francois Xavier Boudant said about Alan Wade's track that saw twelve horse-and-rider combinations jump clear.
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Photo © Mackenzie Clark.
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Photo © Mackenzie Clark.
"I am so happy, we have such a good team supporting us from the breeders to the owners," Boudant told World of Showjumping after his win.
Before the action at Ballsbridge got underway, it was time for the course walk. Here Steve Guerdat in deep thought.
Quite an entrance for the main ring at the RDS!
Great Britain's Harry Charles and Romeo 88 bounced back from an uncharacteristic 29 faults in the second round of Friday's Nations Cup to jump double clear and finish 2nd in the Grand Prix. "It was brilliant, I think it was one of the best jump-off rounds we have done together, and one of the best rounds he has jumped since we have had him so I am really happy with it," Charles said.
Great Britain's Sam Hutton and Casablanca-H had the last double clear of the class, to finish 3rd.
Ireland's own Bertram Allen and Pacino Amiro were last out in the jump-off, and risked it all for the win. Unfortunately, the front pole on the a-element of the double fell to the ground and the two had to settle for the 4th place with the fastest time of the jump-off.
Ireland's Trevor Breen and Highland President had to see the back rail on the Cashel Palace Hotel oxer fall to the ground in the jump-off, and ended up 5th.
Bryan Balsiger's Chelsea Z impressed again with a clear in the first round, but the Swiss rider had to see the front pole on last Longines oxer fall to the ground in the jump-off to settle for 6th.
After a clear in the first round, Abdel Said's spectacular Bonne Amie caught rails on the last two fences in the jump-off and the pair finished 7th.
A happy Michael Duffy after a clear in the first round aboard Zilton SL Z. In the jump-off, the Irish rider had to see two poles fall to the ground and finished 8th.
As first to go in the jump-off, Belgium's Jerome Guery had no other option than to risk it all with eleven riders coming behind him. Floris TN hit two poles though, and the two eventually finished up 9th.
Spain's Eduardo Alvarez Aznar thanks Legend after a clear in the first round of the Grand Prix. The pair ended 10th after two rails down in the jump-off.
It was not to be for Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei this time, as the gelding had a rail down on the first fence and then one more later on in the course. With eight faults, the two ended up 11th.
Both of the Allen-brothers impressed when qualifying for the jump-off. Unfortunately for Bertram's younger brother Harry, two poles fell for him and Calculatus – putting them 12th.
Two Irish riders were especially unlucky, and were clear all the way to the very last fence: Daniel Coyle and Legacy...
...as well as Jack Ryan and BBS McGregor.
That's a wrap from Dublin, we can't wait to be back for the 2024-edition of his magnificent show!
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