Grand Prix glory for American Kraut as Bisquetta refuses to crumble at RDS

Irish Examiner

2 days ago

There was a resounding roar in the Dublin Horse Show main arena as Laura Kraut, a seasoned world class double Olympic bronze medallist, steered her quirky mare Bisquetta to glory with a foot-perfect clear round over a maximum 1m60 track on a day when not one nation had produced a clear round from any rider.
The Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland saw the US rider second last to jump from 40 qualified riders. Kraut duly produced an elusive magnificent clear round on the 11 Bisquetta to win €165,000 and a brand new ladies watch. It was a day to remember for Kraut, whose lifelong ambition was to win the Dublin Grand Prix even moreso since it is part of the Rolex Series which continues next to Brussels then to Spruce Meadows, Calgary.
Thousands packed the stands and watched the numerous screens throughout the RDS site as they basked in sunshine and waited, fully expecting a Rolex second round jump off.
The prize fund of €600,000 attracted riders from around the world, many saving their horses for this prestigious Grand Prix which was won last year by Martin Fuchs with Conner Jei.
Nobody predicted that clear rounds would be almost non existent, although Kanturk native Shane Sweetnam put in a glorious round with the Irish-bred James Kann Cruz to finish third overall despite four faults in 74.39.
Former Irish team chef d'equipe Rodrigo Pessoa, on his second time competing in Dublin, had saved his chestnut gelding Major Tom for this class. Despite one fence down, he was second fastest of the 11 four faults with a time of 73.61, enough to claim the lucrative €100,000 runner up prize.
Sweetnam could have won the competition had he gone clear, claimed Ireland's chef d'equipe Michael Blake later.
"Shane obviously was second in to jump, and decided to take one less stride to the third fence obviously thinking about the time allowed," said Blake. "James Kann Cruz was in great form, he is always impressive and it was hard luck for Shane to hit the fence."
Sweetnam himself added: "My day was a bit weird. I went in second and was too tight back to fence three. When I was jumping the 128cms ponies in Dublin I was eliminated at fence 3," he recalled. However he pointed out. "It got exciting then when there were no clears and everyone was on the edge of their seats. Laura jumped an immaculate round and deserved her win."
An emotional Kraut said she had saved her mare Bisquetta for the Rolex, but after walking the course she'd had second thoughts. Her partner, Olympic champion Nick Skelton, was at her side throughout tutoring her in the warm-up paddock.
"I was lucky to go late in the class and able to see how the track was going," Kraut said. "Nick said 'this is the perfect class, you just get in there and be the only clear round'.
"I didn't expect Bisquetta to do it as easily as she did. She is a unique mare, but she's terrified of other horses, particularly if they swish their tails and she is afraid of other people. She can be quirky but not when you are on her back. This is something I have wanted to do for a very long time, and to win a new Rolex watch too. Winning in Dublin is as good as it gets. All the crowd here are horse people, they are all educated and what an atmosphere."
Wexford's Aloga Team rider Bertram Allen was in form with Next Cornet to win The John Higgins Cup and RDS International 7 and 8 years old class beating Cian O'Connor with Pegasus and Michael Pender with HHs Flonix. The Nortev Speed Championship International went to the army equitation school's Comdt Geoff Curran on DHF Alliance, who clocked 60.57 to win from 25 entries. The Irish Kellett Bursary challenge cup was won by Sligo's Paddy Reape with Mr Rocky Blue.
Omagh rider Niamh McEvoy came in for special praise from Michael Blake.
"She has been phenomenal all week," he said. "A true talent whom I have been watching all year. She won the four-year-old final, the mini Grand Prix, the International Speed and the six-year-old Crusing final for the Michael Moran Trophy.
"Her day on the Ireland senior team is fast approaching. Also top rider Rachel Proudley who won the Puissance has a great future ahead. To see Niamh, Rachel and Laura Kraut dominate the big classes this weekend has been great for the sport."