The death at the weekend of the Swiss Olympian show jumping rider and renowned international horse dealer Max Hauri was greeted with sadness in Irish equestrian circles.

For a number of decades, Hauri (74) was a great supporter of Irish-bred horses and he made many friends and contacts during his years of buying horses on these shores.

Born in 1941, he was crowned Swiss champion in 1960. Married with three children, the international show jumper competed more than 50 times for Switzerland in Nations Cup competitions and jumped at the Olympics in Tokyo (1964) and Munich (1962).

Known for his partnerships with horses like Millview, Haiti and Red Baron, Hauri was a regular visitor to Ireland to buy horses.

The famous sire Cavalier Royale was brought to Ireland by Seamus Hughes in partnership with Hauri, a pivotal move in the Irish sport horse breeding industry.

Hauri also took numerous Irish riders under his wing, including Jessica Kürten, Peter Leonard, Eddie Moloney, Noel Barry and Padraig McCarthy among others.

He rated Vivaldi, Haiti, Radar, Look Twice, Shoeman and Red Baron among his favourite horses.