LAURA KRAUT OUTSHINES 39 RIDERS & WINS THE COVETED ROLEX GRAND PRIX OF IRELAND
In quite an unusual Rolex Grand Prix, no Olympic, Continental, European, Rolex Testimonee, World Champion, or pundit or crowd favourite - could clear the technically difficult course designed by Irish course designer Alan Wade.
The Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland at the Dublin Horse Show 2025 proved to be one of the most suspenseful and demanding showjumping contests in recent memory. The CSIO5* 1.60m Table A with Jump-Off course, designed with 14 obstacles and 17 efforts to be completed in 77 seconds, tested the very best in the world on the legendary grass of the RDS Main Arena.
From the get-go, it was clear that this was an unorthodox Grand Prix. Faults fell thick and fast, with even the most experienced names unable to tame the track. Dutchman Kevin Jochems opened proceedings with Camilla van de Helle but clipped the very first fence and added another rail, plus a time fault, to finish on 9 points. Ireland’s first hope, Shane Sweetnam with James Kann Cruz, produced a fast round but also finished on 4 points.
One after another, some of the sport’s brightest stars — Joseph Stockdale (GBR), Richard Vogel (GER), the reigning European Champion and Wednesday’s Sport Ireland Classic winner — found themselves caught out by the technical design. Vogel, a strong favourite, saw his chances slip away with two late rails despite a lightning-fast 73.61.
By the halfway mark, the leaderboard was still led by riders carrying 4 faults. In a rare turn of events at this level, no rider had managed to post a clear round, leaving the possibility open for a jump-off between the fastest 4-fault scores. Names like Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA), Tom Wachman (IRL), Aaron Vale (USA), Harrie Smolders (NED), and McLain Ward (USA) fought to deliver the elusive perfect round, but all fell short — often at the very last fence.
The tension in the stands was palpable. Then, with just two riders left to go, Laura Kraut (USA), one of the most experienced competitors in the sport and an Olympic team silver medallist, entered the arena. With precision, composure, and perfect harmony with her horse, she produced the moment everyone had been waiting for — the only clear round of the day, in 73.97 seconds. The crowd erupted, the roar echoing around the stadium as Kraut punched the air in triumph.
With no need for a jump-off, her single clear secured her the Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland title, writing a new chapter in Dublin’s history books.
Final Standings — Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland
Laura Kraut (USA) – Bisquetta – 0 faults – 73.97
Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) – Dhalida – 4 faults – 73.61
Shane Sweetnam (IRL) – James Kann Cruz – 4 faults – 74.39
--ENDS--
Full results here
Main photo by HT
Secondary photo via Rolex Series
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