At the Dublin Horse Show 2025, Laura Kraut and Bisquetta delivered the only clear round to secure a historic victory in the €500,000 Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland.
A Historic Stage at the Dublin Horse Show
The 150th edition of the RDS Dublin Horse Show provided the perfect backdrop for one of the most prestigious competitions in the sport: the Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland. Designed by Alan Wade, the CSIO5* 1.60 m course featured 14 obstacles, 17 efforts, and a demanding time allowed of just 77 seconds. With a star-studded field and a €500,000 prize fund, the pressure was immense — and rails began to fall early on.
Faults Everywhere — Until the Penultimate Pair
Round after round, the leaderboard was littered with four-fault scores. Early leaders included Brazilian legend Rodrigo Pessoa on Major Tom and Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam, both posting fast but faulted rounds. The tension in the arena grew with each attempt, as the chance of a jump-off seemed to vanish.
Perfection Under Pressure
As the penultimate starters, Laura Kraut (USA) and her 11-year-old mare Bisquetta entered the ring with focus and precision. In an exceptional display of control and rhythm, they crossed the finish line in 73.97 seconds — the only faultless performance of the day. The Dublin crowd erupted, knowing they had witnessed something rare and remarkable.
Podium and Reflections
With no jump-off required, Kraut claimed victory, followed by Rodrigo Pessoa in second place and Shane Sweetnam in third. Reflecting on the win, Kraut called the event “a bucket-list show”, praising Wade’s “careful but fair” course and Bisquetta’s brilliance. Pessoa lauded the atmosphere and conditions, while Sweetnam admitted the old-school feel of the class had the tension “just building and building.”
Kraut’s win not only secured her place in the history books of the Dublin Horse Show but also added another jewel to her long and celebrated career.
Source: worldofshowjumping.com
