Sunday's CSIO5* 1.60m Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland turned into a thriller, with USA's Laura Kraut and Bisquetta taking the win after posting the only clear round of the competition as the penultimate pair out in the iconic RDS Main Arena in Dublin. Celebrating its 150th edition, Dublin Horse Show offered great sport throughout the week, with Sunday's Rolex Grand Prix as the cherry on top.
"He did say, about halfway through, that this is the perfect class," Kraut told about the advice she got from her partner, the 2016 Olympic Champion Nick Skelton, ahead of her ride. "He told me to just go in there and be the only clear, don't worry about it."
Ireland's very own Alan Wade had created a demanding but fair course that kept some of the world's best horses and riders engaged until the very end. As the second pair in the ring, the hosts' own Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz posted a fast four-fault round, leaving the ring thinking that it was all over – only to finish third in the end. "As the class went on, it got exciting, it felt a bit oldfashioned, actually. Nowadays, people love their jump-offs, but especially the second half had everyone on their seats, watching every jump, and things kept happening," Sweetnam said afterwards, praising the unique atmosphere in Dublin.
"When I walked the course, I thought it was exactly what was expected from a Grand Prix like this one. Alan is one of the best in the world, if not the best, so you always expect a tough course, but fair," the second placed Rodrigo Pessoa shared his thoughts.
With these photos, we take a look back at the action in Dublin.
All photos © Nanna Nieminen for World of Showjumping. No reproduction of any of the content in this article will be accepted without a written permission, all rights reserved © World of Showjumping.com. If copyright violations occur, a penalty fee will apply.
Currently the highest ranked female rider in the world, Laura Kraut, 59, stepped on top of the podium in the Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland, followed by Brazil's Rodrigo Pessoa in second and Ireland's Shane Sweetnam in third.
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Photo © Nanna Nieminen/WoSJ.
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Image DescriptionPhoto © Nanna Nieminen/WoSJ.
"I expected a good class, I didn't think I'd get a great class," the Irish course designer Alan Wade said afterwards, pleased with the excitement seen in Sunday's Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland. "I thought it was great showjumping."
Laura Kraut walking the course with her partner, the 2016 Olympic Champion Nick Skelton and team USA's Lucy Davis Kennedy.
McLain Ward and Rodrigo Pessoa were some of the big names in the strong field of 40.
Nick Skelton and Alan Wade discussing the course.
The 1986 World Champion Gail Greenough was in Dublin with the Canadian team – here alongside Mario Deslauriers.
Kevin Jochems and Camilla van de Helle – who jumped double clear for the Dutch in Friday's Nations Cup – were the pathfinders in Sunday's Rolex Grand Prix, leaving the ring with two fences down and a time penalty.
As the second pair out, Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz posted a fast round, but added four faults to their score – and thought it was all over as they left the arena.
The newly crowned European Champion Richard Vogel brought the stunning Cloudio to the start, finishing just outside of prize money after collecting eight penalties.
Jordan Coyle and Chaccoliino won Thursday’s CSIO5* 1.60m Cashel Palace Hotel Stakes in Dublin, but the luck was not on their side in the Rolex Grand Prix.
Germany's Christian Ahlmann and Blueberry placed fourth in the end, after picking up four penalties in 74.72.
Iron Man doing what Iron Man does... Ireland's very own Cian O'Connor and the exuberant Iron Man finished outside of top ten.
Daniel Coyle and Incredible were one of twelve Irish pair that had qualified for Sunday's Rolex Grand Prix.
Oh the agony... As pair no. 19 out, Mexico's Eugenio Garza Perez and Contago looked well on their way into delivering the first clear – only to see the final fence on the ground.
USA's McLain Ward and Imperial HBF finished 10th after a stylish four-fault round.
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Photo © Nanna Nieminen/WoSJ.
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Image DescriptionPhoto © Nanna Nieminen/WoSJ.
But then came Laura Kraut and Bisquetta... The enthuasiastic crowd in Dublin had not seen a clear round before the American duo entered the arena as no. 39 to go.
“Alan Wade built a course that was careful but fair, and you had to be perfect to go clear," Kraut said afterwards. "I was lucky to go late, which gave me the chance to study the others and decide exactly what I wanted to do."
Rolex Series Equestrian mascot Rosie was among the many that rushed to congratulate Laura on her thrilling win.
Laura Kraut with Margaret Duprey, owner of Bisquetta.
"The atmosphere, the footing, the conditions — everything was perfect for a fantastic afternoon," second placed Rodrigo Pessoa said about Sunday's Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland.
“The Dublin Horse Show is one of those bucket list events, so I’m absolutely thrilled,” Kraut said.
"Bisquetta is very brave, very careful, and this year she’s stepped up to another level," Laura Kraut said about her winning mount, the 11-year-old Zangersheide mare.
The Irish take their ceremonies serious...
"Any placing in a Rolex Grand Prix is a good placing — especially here in Dublin," the third placed Shane Sweetnam said.
Thank you, Dublin!
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