The 2024 Dublin Horse Show has come to a thrilling conclusion at the RDS in Ballsbridge as where Ireland's Mark McAuley and GRS Lady Amaro (ISH) claimed a runner-up finish in the €500,000 Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland.
McAuley had looked set for victory went posting a brilliant clear in 38.74 seconds in the seven-horse jump-off. However Martin Fuchs and Conner Jei snatched the win for Switzerland when last to go, stopping the clock five hundredths of a second faster than McAuley.
Fuchs was slightly down on the clock for most of his jump-off round.
However a daring dash to the last fence saw Fuchs gain time with the big-striding Conner Jei. Just seven hundredths of a second separated the top three finishers, with American rider Aaron Vale and Carrissimo 25 taking third spot on the podium.
McAuley was delighted with his runner-up finish and explained how producing GRS Lady Amaro has been a real family affair.
He said: "Martin [Fuchs] was always going to be the danger when he was clear in the first round and being last to go in the jump-off, he was always going to be the one to worry about. I gave it everything, I don't feel I could have done much more.
"The mare was fantastic, she gave it her all and I am just delighted to finish second in this Grand Prix. This is the second time she has been second[in a Rolex Grand Prix] so hopefully next time she will win one.
"My uncle Denis Hickey bred her in Wexford and my cousin Patrick produced her until she was eight before I took over the reins, so its a real family affair. They were all here watching so it's a great day for everyone involved."
