Swiss Olympian Steve Guerdat wins Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland

Swiss Olympic ace Steve Guerdat emerged the eventual winner of the Rolex trophy and €300,000. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

It was a glorious day for Irish showjumping as three young guns from Derry, Wicklow and Kilkenny lifted a hefty share of the €1m prize fund on offer for the five star Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland at the RDS.

Swiss Olympic ace Steve Guerdat emerged the eventual winner of the Rolex trophy and €300,000, as Ireland's Jordan Coyle on Chaccolino took second with outstanding double clears. 

Jordan Coyle was ecstatic to finish second adding €200,000 to his growing prize pot having earlier won five classes and taken four seconds. Lt Michaeli Byrne and talented grey mare Msh Claregalway finished fourth overall for €100,000 while the quiet man of showjumping Michael Pender added €40,000 euro to his bank account for seventh.

Arne van Heel opened with a clear, with Jordan Coyle next on zero, followed by Steve Guerdat, Lt Michaeli Byrne and Nicolas Sers Frances, Olivier Robert and Michael Pender. 

Nine clears from 40 starters was an improvement on last year. The nine horse jump off was electric. Rodrigo Pessoa and Major Tom, who were runners up last year, retired in the jump off but still finished in ninth with €20,000.

Van Heel on Keaton HV, the bay Holstein stallion opened with a jump off clear in 41.47, as Jordan Coyle didn't flinch and pushed Chaccolino to impress on a zero score in 39.27 and clear. Steve Guerdat made it look easy, as Albfuehren's Iashin Sitte took the lead in 37.81 as he shaved the corners and took chances.

Lt Michaeli Byrne was the crowd pleaser. Stepping into the limelight recently at Hickstead and now in her first Rolex Grand Prix, Mhs Claregalway  loved every minute of the jump off. 

Michael Pender's nine year old Luidam gelding Madeslane Louis, one of the youngest horses, was unfortunate to hit fence three on the fast turn catching the fence wing.

An emotional Coyle said: "What a week I can't believe it. It's a privilege to have a horse like Chaccolino. Elan Farms have supported me for 10 years and at last we have a superstar. My family are all here, we are all into horses and to end up on a Nations Cup team with my brother Daniel was amazing this week. Alan Wade built a tough course and to finish second was a great feeling."

The Puissance was shared by Rachel Proudly and Jordan Coyle as it moved from 2.15m to 2.22m over five rounds. Defending champion Proudly, the first women to win the event in 61 years, wore her Mayo jersey and was the crowd favourite.

Derek McCoppin, the London International puissance winner, Coyle on board Eristov and Proudly with Easy Boy de Laubry were the final three riders left to face the wall at 2.25m. McCoppin went out despite beating his personal best at 2.15m while Coyle and Proudly scooped the main prize on their flying horses. It was an emotional end to the day as Coyle officially retired Eristov.