South American Daniel Bluman and grey stallion Clyde, who cleared 2.2m (7ft 3in) to win the Land-Rover Puissance outright after five rounds, brought the RDS crowds to their feet.
The Colombian had no intention of sharing a placing as he steered the confident Clyde for a fifth time at the imposing wall, in a competition that saw Gerard Clarke from Ballivor and Claregalway rider Michael Duffy on SIEC Oberon challenge him in an evening of superb sport.
There was a hair-raising moment as Clarke looked to be impaled in the fifth round but he landed safely. Ireland produced some of its best high-jump riding in years.
The competition started with all riders clearing the course. At 1.96m, out went Alex Duffy on SIEC Atlas, Derek McConnell with Oakpark High Flyer and Brian Morrison on Wilton John VDL. Gabriel Slattery’s home-bred Irish stallion Captain’s Clover pricked his ears and tipped a brick.
At 2.05m, Clarke with Zanzibar soared into the next round, along with Bluman, and Duffy. Clarke’s second horse, Jakes Dream, clipped a brick, while Daniel Coyle on Balou Marco Gil had a wall-demolishing fall. Both walked away intact.
Mark McAuley and Loriot jumped clear but faulted at 2.15m, leaving Clarke, Duffy and Bluman for the fifth and final round.
