The RDS Main Arena in Dublin witnessed a masterclass in show jumping as Laura Kraut clinched victory in the fiercely contested Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland.
Forty elite riders tackled Alan Wade’s demanding 1.60m course, featuring 17 efforts and a tight 77-second time limit. Rails fell relentlessly, with even seasoned champions like Aaron Vale and Harrie Smolders succumbing to the technical challenges.
Irish hopes flickered as Shane Sweetnam posted an early 4-fault round, but no rider could achieve a clear performance until the penultimate entry.
Kraut, the Olympic silver medalist, entered aboard Bisquetta amid palpable tension. Their flawless round, completed in 73.97 seconds, drew deafening cheers from the packed stands, standing as the day’s only clear effort.
“The course was careful but fair,” Kraut remarked afterward. “Bisquetta was brilliant—she’s stepped up to another level this year.” The win held personal significance; her husband, Nick Skelton, had won the event five times.
Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa secured second place with a swift 4-fault round on Major Tom (73.61 seconds), while Sweetnam took third on James Kann Cruz (74.39 seconds). Thirteen riders retired mid-course, underscoring the track’s difficulty.
“Any placing here is a good placing,” Sweetnam acknowledged, reflecting Dublin’s prestige. The spotlight now shifts to Brussels, where the Rolex Series concludes at the Stephex Masters later this month.
