MICHAEL G Duffy ticked a major achievement of the list last Sunday week when he successfully completed the Rolex Grand Prix at the five-star Geneva Horse Show.

The 21-year-old show jumper from Ballina in Co Mayo was one of an elite list of just 40 world class riders who made the cut for the €1m class, regarded as the most esteemed indoor Grand Prix in the world.

Based in Germany, where he is head rider at Carl Hanley Sporthorses, the Mayo man got an invitation to the prestigious five-star show through the Young Rider Academy, which continues to provide life-changing experiences for youngsters in the sport.

Speaking to The Irish Field after the show, Duffy said it was an invaluable experience. “It was brilliant, I really enjoyed it. I got an invitation through the Young Rider Academy and it is brilliant they can do so much for us young riders,” he said.

Duffy qualified for Sunday’s Grand Prix after finishing sixth in Saturday night’s 1.55m jump-off class with Carl Hanley’s Irish Sport Horse Lapuccino 2, by SIEC Livello and who is out of Cabaret III – jumped to international level by Carl’s wife, Nadja Kapp Hanley, who bred the gelding with her father, Sven Kapp.

In a real family affair, Cameron Hanley jumped SIEC Livello at the top level of the sport, finishing fourth at the European Championships at Windsor in 2009.

Speaking about the Grand Prix, Duffy said: “He started very good but he had jumped two big rounds (to qualify) and just ran out of a bit of steam.

“The best horses in the world were finding it difficult, it was a proper big meaty course. It is such a massive ring, but that course made it feel small.”

Duffy was also placed twice with the eight-year-old Chappo Chey – sixth in Thursday’s 1.40m with a clear round, and third in Saturday’s 1.50m when jumping double clear in 29.90, where victory went to Italy’s Piergiorgio Bucci and Heartbreaker VD Achterhoe (0/0 28.57).

Galway’s Michael Duffy was just behind his namesake with Jule Van Den Tinnenpot (0/0 31.55).

He thinks a lot of the Cornet Obolensky-sired gelding. “I am very excited about Chappo Chey, I think he is a once in a lifetime horse. We will kick on a bit next year, we have been looking after him,” Duffy explained.

“I also have Castlefield Rubinas, a nine-year-old horse who is just doing his 1.45m. He is a bit behind the others but I think a lot of him.”

Duffy took over the reins at the Hanley stable last October and described it as “home away from home”. He will however return to his real home this week for Christmas with his family, the well-known Duffy clan from Knockmore.

His eldest brother Martin accompanied Michael to Geneva, while his other brother Alex is based in Germany. Their father Vinnie runs Duffy Sport Horses from their home in Mayo, producing and selling horses all over the world. Out of the young riders as of the end of this month, Michael is aiming to get on a few senior teams nice year.

“That would be the idea,” he said, adding: “Lapuccino seems to be able to cope with the big courses no problem, so we are looking forward to next year.”