What a feeling!

World number 12 Richard Vogel describes winning his first Rolex grand prix as "unbelievable" while Ireland's rising star tops the podium

- JENNIFER DONALD

CHI Geneva, Palexpo, Switzerland 

RICHARD VOGEL, 26, has made a rapid ascent in the sport to reach number 12 in the world rankings, but on Sunday afternoon he achieved a career best when winning his first showjumping major, the Rolex grand prix of Geneva. The Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping is now the young German rider's to contest and it's all systems go to be ready for the next leg at the Dutch Masters in the spring.

"This is an unbelievable feeling in front of such a great crowd in such a prestigious competition," said Richard, who finished more than twoand-a-half seconds faster than Ireland's Mark McAuley on the big-striding GRS Lady Amaro after a seven-way jump-off.

It was first-drawn Richard's extraordinary tight lines and sharp angles on the 11-yearold stallion United Touch S (Untouched x Lux Z) over an imposing jump-off track set by Gérard Lachat that won him the CHF370,000 (£335,000) top prize - nobody could even get close.

"I'm overwhelmed with what United Touch is able to do, especially in the first round - it's really difficult for him because he has such a big stride so sometimes he finds the lines short," explained Richard. "But he gives everything and he was fighting for me today - he was fighting to be clear. I'm happy we pulled it off in the jump-off.

"I am very close with [2022 winner] McLain Ward and before I went to bed last night I watched the whole jump-off from last year. I knew that to win here you have to be fast so, even though I was first to go, I decided to really push for it. I can't even put into words the gratitude and respect I feel for my incredible stallion."

The final double clear came from third-placed Christian Kukuk for Germany, a further two seconds behind Mark McAuley, on the super grey son of Comme Il Faut, Checker 47.