A superb performance from Co Louth’s Mark McAuley and the 10-year-old mare GRS Lady Amaro (ISH), bred in Co Wexford by Denis Hickey, secured a runner-up finish for the Irish pairing in today’s (Sunday) five-star Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva in Switzerland.
Part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, the Rolex Grand Prix saw just seven of the 40 starters jump clear in the first round, with McAuley’s second round clear in 39.77 seconds giving him a second place finish and just over €230,000 in prizemoney.
The winners prize of €390,000 went to Germany’s Richard Vogel with United Touch S when clear in 37.14, while the third place on the podium went to another German rider, Christian Kukuk with Checker 47. Derry’s Daniel Coyle and Legacy narrowly missed out on a place in the jump-off when picking up just two time penalties in an otherwise perfect first round and would take ninth place at the finish.
BREEDING
GRS Lady Amaro (ISH) – 2013, Mare by Amaretto Darco (BWP) out of Legal Lady (TB), by Over The River (TB). Breeder: Denis Hickey, Co. Wexford. Owner: S.N.C McAuley. Rider: Mark McAuley (IRL).