The opening qualifying class for Sunday's Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland delivered an exciting afternoon of sport at the Gallagher Dublin Horse Show, as the Sport Ireland Classic (CSI5* 1.55m) saw Ireland's leading riders shine in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.

A total of 55 horse-and-rider combinations took on Alan Wade's demanding 13-obstacle course, where both speed and precision were essential. Olympic champion Steve Guerdat was first into the arena aboard Albfuehren's Iashin Sitte, but several rails prevented the Swiss rider from setting an early benchmark. Logan Fiechter followed with two fences down aboard Apphire H Z, while the first French rider to enter the ring, Charlotte Leoni, also incurred a single rail.

Despite the technical nature of the course, 22 combinations managed to produce fault-free rounds, setting up a highly competitive finish against the clock.

The home nation proved particularly impressive, placing six riders inside the top ten and underlining the exceptional form of the Irish team ahead of Friday's prestigious Nations' Cup of Ireland for the Aga Khan Trophy.

The class ultimately belonged to Ireland, with Jordan Coyle producing the fastest clear round aboard King Kannan GP in 65.49 s. Fellow Irishman Shane Sweetnam, fresh from his Rolex Grand Prix victory in Falsterbo, secured second place with Pia Maria H in 66.97s, while rising star Tom Wachman completed a remarkable all-Irish podium aboard Do It Easy in 67.99s.

With the first qualifying class now complete, the battle for places in Sunday's Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland is well underway, promising another thrilling week of world-class sport at the Royal Dublin Society.