THE Irish show jumping team of Mark McAuley with GRS Lady Amaro, Jack Ryan with BBS McGregor, Max Wachman with Kilkenny and Michael Duffy with Cantano 32 finished in sixth place in last Friday night’s five-star Nations Cup at the Brussels Stephex Masters in Belgium.

The Irish team included no less than three Irish-bred horses with Louth’s Mark McAuley the first competitor to enter the arena riding GRS Lady Amaro (ISH).

Bred in Co Wexford by Denis Hickey, this 10-year-old mare by Amaretto Darco out of Legal Lady left all the fences standing but picked up one time fault. As the competition unfolded, the time allowed would prove to be hugely influential, with many of those who followed picking up time penalties.

Kilkenny’s Jack Ryan was second to go for Ireland with BBS McGregor (ISH by VDL Cardento 933), who was bred in Kilkenny by his mother Marguerite Ryan. They were clear coming to the last line but the last two fences fell to leave them with eight faults.

Tipperary’s Max Wachman and the 11-year-old gelding Kilkenny (ISH, also by VDL Cardento 933), bred by Sinead Brennan, were another combination to jump clear with just time faults, as they crossed the line with three time penalties in an otherwise perfect round as third to jump for Michael Blake’s team.

Galway’s Michael Duffy was riding the anchor leg for Ireland with Cantano 32 (Cachassini), and they finished with a 16 fault score as the discard, which left Ireland on a 12 fault score at the halfway stage and in a share of fourth place of the nine teams competing.

Second round

The second round saw McAuley pick up 12 faults, followed by a four fault round from Ryan, with the first fence being their only pole to fall.

Wachman and Kilkenny then jumped a brilliant clear round as third to jump, with the pair completing two rounds of jumping over a testing course with no fences on the floor.

Michael Duffy and Cantano finished with eight faults as last to jump, to leave Ireland on a two round total of 24 faults and in sixth place overall.

Victory in the Belgian Nations Cup at the Brussels Masters went to Germany who recovered from fourth place at the halfway point to take the win on a 12 fault score. Mexico finished as runners-up on 14 faults while Britain finished third on 15 faults.

Stuff of dreams

Tipperary’s Tom Wachman, younger brother of Nations Cup team member Max, clinched his first five-star class win at the venue on Saturday, an impressive feat for the 18-year-old who was competing in the pony Europeans not long ago.

In Thursday’s 1.40m two-phase class, Wachman was fastest of the 38 who jumped both phases clear, finishing on a time of 27.39, ahead of Belgium’s Jos Verloory (27.97), with Cathalina S (Catoki x Sandro).

Then, on Saturday with the same mare, Wachman took top honours in the 1.45m special two-phase class, finishing ahead of Harrie Smolders of The Netherlands.

Wachman set the fastest time in 21.41 seeing off Smolders’ 21.71. “I was thrilled to have the opportunity to compete here. I never dared dream that I would win my first five-star event here,” he said afterwards.

“Growing up, there were many chances to compete in pony classes. I believe that’s why I picked up on tackling bigger courses so quickly. My family also breeds racehorses, which might be a factor too.

“Of course, the full credit goes to my amazing horse, Cathalina S. She’s exceptionally fast.

“Two weeks ago in Dublin, she placed in two speed classes, and earlier, at the junior Europeans, she earned team gold and individual silver. I’m fortunate to have her by my side.”

Rolex Grand Prix

In the CSI5* Rolex 1.60m Grand Prix qualifier, Tom rode Berlux Z (Berlin x Major de La Cour), who also delivered a clear round but finished on 12 faults in the main event.

This class was won by reigning Olympic champion, Britain’s Ben Maher aboard Dallas Vegas Batilly.

Wachman is currently being trained by coach and mentor Cian O’Connor and made his senior Nations Cup debut in Peelbergen in May.

“At home, I have an exceptional groom, Margot Florence, who’s also an accomplished flat rider. Cathalina can be quite temperamental, but Margot connects really well with her. She’s a significant part of my success,” he said.