'One of my biggest dreams'

Martin Fuchs is the new Rolex Grand Slam contender, while a thrilling Nations Cup goes to a rejuvenated Ireland

- By BECKY MURRAY

“HE’S such a special horse. He gave everything today,” said Martin Fuchs of the stunning Leone Jei after jumping the only triple clear to win the $3m (£2.4m) CPKC International presented by Rolex – and become the new Rolex Grand Slam contender.

“It’s one of my biggest dreams to win here. My father Thomas was placed well in the grand prix a few times, but he never won. He always said this is the best show in the world and he pushed me to win one day here, and it’s today. It’s just wonderful.”

The class is known as one of the most difficult in the world and Leopoldo Palacios’ track delivered. The first test of scope was a combination at fence four – a triple bar on a forward two strides to an oxer. The questions continued to the end with a first round final of a 1.62m vertical then six strides to a triple combination, catching out 10 of 34 starters. It was then down to the final fence on course, an oxer stretching 1.85m wide.

The first round produced only five clears, and the top 12 came back to jump a full second round in reverse order of faults and time. Tiffany Foster (Figor) and Martin (Leone Jei) left the fences up once again to go head-to-head in the jump-off. Silence fell on the international arena as Tiffany set off, but when she knocked the second part of the double, it all came down to Martin to deliver the clear. Leone Jei was happy to oblige, looking eager all the way before stopping the clock on 43.58sec.