Must Watch Moment: Mark McAuley Makes His Mark on New York Empire Debut

There are few better ways to announce yourself to a new team.

Making his GCL debut for New York Empire powered by Lugano at the Longines Global Champions Tour of London, mid-season signing Mark McAuley stepped into the team for the first time and delivered when it mattered – producing an outstanding clear in Round 2 alongside Scott Brash and Denis Lynch.

It was a performance that made McAuley’s first appearance in New York Empire colours one of London’s Must Watch Moments.

McAuley joined New York Empire as a mid-season transfer acquisition, returning to the GCL after a year and a half away from the Championship. Before taking to the arena in London, the Irishman spoke about the excitement of returning to team competition – and joining a squad packed with experience.

"It’s been a year and a half since I was last part of the Tour, and it’s great to be back," McAuley said. "New York is a great team with riders I really respect. Denis and Scott have a lot of experience and they’ve been very welcoming, so I’m looking forward to it."

With New York Empire entering London eighth in the Championship standings and the battle for positions intensifying, McAuley was clear about what he hoped to bring to the second half of the season.

"Hopefully I have a couple of nice horses now, so hopefully I can contribute to maybe moving up the table a bit before the end of the year."

It didn't take long for him to do exactly that.

Called into the team for Round 2, McAuley partnered a nine-year-old horse stepping into one of the biggest atmospheres of his career. Under the pressure of GCL competition and in front of a packed London crowd, the pair rose to the occasion with a superb clear.

"First time jumping for the team, but I have an exceptional horse, so I put a lot of trust in him today and he delivered. I’m very happy," McAuley said immediately afterwards.

The performance was made all the more impressive by the relative inexperience of his mount at this level.

"He would never have seen an atmosphere like this," McAuley explained. "He’s such an exciting horse for the future."

From mid-season acquisition to delivering a clear round on debut, McAuley could hardly have scripted his first appearance for New York Empire better. It was exactly the kind of immediate impact the team would have hoped for when bringing the experienced Irishman into the squad for the second half of the Championship.

A new rider, a new chapter and an immediate contribution to the team – Mark McAuley’s New York Empire debut is our Must Watch Moment from GCL London.