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International Jumping Riders Club
STEVE GUERDAT REIGNS SUPREME IN THE ROLEX GRAND PRIX OF IRELAND
Steve Guerdat (SUI) and Albfuehren’s Iashin Sitte claimed a magnificent victory in the Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland on Sunday afternoon, bringing five days of world-class sport at the Gallagher Dublin Horse Show to a spectacular conclusion. Once again, the crowds turned out in force at the Royal Dublin Society, filling the grandstands surrounding the Main Arena for the highlight of the week and creating the unique atmosphere for which the Dublin Horse Show is renowned.
After earning their places through a demanding qualification process throughout the week, 40 horse-and-rider combinations lined up for the CSIO5* 1.60m Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland, with €1 million in prize money at stake. Irish course designer Alan Wade set a demanding first-round track of 14 obstacles and 17 efforts, with a time allowed of 80 seconds. Precision, scope and concentration were required throughout, and from the opening combination, the course began to separate the field.
First into the arena, Arne van Heel (NED) and Keaton HV immediately showed that the challenge could be mastered. The Dutch combination produced a composed and precise clear round, opening the possibility of a jump-off from the very start of the competition. Several combinations then saw their hopes fade around Wade’s course. Rene Dittmer (GER) and Cody 139 collected four faults at the Rolex vertical in the middle of the triple combination, together with one time fault, while Robert Whitaker (GBR) and Equine America Vermento saw a promising round come undone over the final two fences.
The atmosphere changed as home favourite Jordan Coyle (IRL) and Chaccolino entered the arena. Already double clear together in Friday’s Nations’ Cup of Ireland for the Aga Khan Trophy, the pair once again delivered when it mattered, producing a fault-free round that was met with huge applause from the packed grandstands.
World No. 3 Shane Sweetnam (IRL), winner of the Rolex Grand Prix of Falsterbo earlier this season, was unable to find the answer to the course with Pia Maria H. Jörne Sprehe (GER) and Toys, runners-up in the Rolex Gran Premio Roma in May, lowered the Rolex Series wall, an obstacle that also caught out the in-form Natalie Dean (USA) and Acota M.
Then came Steve Guerdat (SUI). Partnering Albfuehren’s Iashin Sitte, the Olympic champion produced a beautifully controlled clear round to secure his place in the jump-off. Ireland soon had another reason to celebrate as Lt Michaeli Byrne and MSH Claregalway also left every fence standing, earning their place among the finalists in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.
Two of the leading American contenders were unable to join them. Karl Cook (USA) and Foxy de la Roque, winners of Thursday’s Cashel Palace Hotel Stakes, encountered several difficulties, while World No. 1 Kent Farrington (USA) and Greya looked on course for a clear until a fault coming out of the Rolex triple combination ended their hopes of reaching the jump-off. France then enjoyed a particularly strong passage through the arena. Nicolas Sers and Eleven de Riverland produced a fault-free performance, before Olivier Robert and Iglesias D.V. followed with another clear to secure two French combinations in the jump-off. The home crowd was on its feet again when Michael Pender (IRL) and the homebred Madgeslane Louis completed a fault-free round, becoming the third Irish combination to progress.
For defending champion Laura Kraut (USA), however, there would be no repeat of her 2025 victory. After encountering difficulties at the Rolex Series wall, the American elected to retire. World No. 2 Richard Vogel (GER) then demonstrated exactly why he is among the leading riders in the world. Together with Cloudio, he delivered an impressive clear round to add his name to an already high-calibre jump-off.
One final major contender remained. Runner-up in the Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland in 2025, Olympic champion Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) entered the arena determined to go one better this year. Partnering Major Tom, the Brazilian produced the ninth clear round of the competition and secured the final place in the jump-off.
A THRILLING NINE-WAY JUMP-OFF
With nine combinations returning to the arena, the stage was set for a thrilling conclusion to an exceptional week in Dublin. First to go, Arne van Heel and Keaton HV laid down the initial challenge with a second clear round in 41.47 seconds.
The atmosphere intensified when Jordan Coyle entered the arena. Riding in front of his home crowd, the Irishman attacked from the opening stride, taking tight turns and carrying his pace all the way to the final fence. A clear in 39.27 seconds moved him into the lead and sent the packed grandstands into celebration. But Steve Guerdat was still to come.
The Swiss champion produced a masterclass aboard Albfuehren’s Iashin Sitte. Combining speed with remarkable precision and fluidity, Guerdat found the perfect balance throughout the shortened course and crossed the finish line clear in 37.81 seconds, taking almost a second and a half off Coyle’s leading time. The challenge was now set.
Lt Michaeli Byrne added another double clear for Ireland, while Nicolas Sers, Olivier Robert and Michael Pender all saw faults end their chances of challenging Guerdat. World No. 2 Richard Vogel entered the arena determined to attack the leading time. The German took every risk with Cloudio, producing an ambitious round, but a fault ended his hopes of taking the title.
Last to go, Rodrigo Pessoa remained the final rider capable of denying Guerdat victory. After two fences fell, the Brazilian elected to retire, confirming the result.
STEVE GUERDAT CROWNED IN DUBLIN
With two fault-free rounds and the fastest time of the jump-off, Steve Guerdat and Albfuehren’s Iashin Sitte secured a memorable Rolex Grand Prix victory in one of international show jumping’s most prestigious events. Jordan Coyle and Chaccolino finished second after an exceptional performance on home soil, while first-round trailblazers Arne van Heel and Keaton HV completed the podium.
1. Steve Guerdat (SUI) & Albfuehren’s Iashin Sitte 0 / 0. 37.81 sec
2. Jordan Coyle (IRL) & Chaccolino 0 / 0, 39.27 sec
3. Arne van Heel (NED) & Keaton HV 0 / 0, 41.47 sec The victory provided a fitting conclusion to five days of international sport, Irish equestrian tradition and packed grandstands at the Gallagher Dublin Horse Show, the sixth event of the 2026 Rolex Series.
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