THE Tournament of Champions, held over four days last weekend against the picturesque backdrop of Münster Castle in Germany, is a highlight on the equestrian calendar. It certainly was for Louth’s Mark McAuley, as he won Saturday’s four-star 1.55m jump-off class riding the 11-year-old mare Destinee de Vains.

A start list of 37 saw just seven make it through to the jump-off, with one of those combinations (Douglas Lindelöw (SUI) and Charlie’s Way) opting not to compete in the second round, leaving just six to do battle for the €12,500 first prize and the Marktkauf Cup.

A further two retired on course, while one other incurred four faults, with only three managing to jump double clear.

McAuley had decided to play it safe in the jump-off and was not out to win the class, as the course had already proved difficult in the first round. However, Destinee de Vains produced a fast jump-off round in 39.67 seconds, which proved unbeatable.

McAuley took the winner’s prize of €12,500, as he and his mount finished almost a second faster than runner-up, Italy’s Antonio Maria Garofalo on Carem Sandy (40.52). Germany’s Laura Kalphake on Quin 13 completed the podium in a time of 40.69.

“My mare, Destinee de Vains, is very cautious,” McAuley explained. “She tends to overjump. That’s why I just wanted to do a quiet, safe round with some tight turns and see how far I’d get. I’m naturally delighted that it led to victory.

“She is very special. I let her be who she is – then she always gives 100 per cent on the jump.”

McAuley has performed consistently at the top level of the sport and was deserving of this four-star victory.

International show jumping at the show had commenced on Friday, August 30th, when McAuley and Fury Night placed seventh of 38 starters in the four-star 1.50m class.