FOR THE SECOND time in the past three years the American Show Jumping team has lifted the Aga Khan trophy, after a dramatic competition on what was the 100th running of the Nations Cup of Ireland, at the Gallagher Dublin Horse Show in the RDS Ballsbridge.
A nail-biting competition went right down the wire, with a clear round from 2025 Dublin Grand Prix winner Laura Kraut proving the vital score that would seal victory for the Americans.
The 100th Aga Khan at the Dublin Horse Show was also historic in that it saw the first time that two brothers featured on the same Irish team. First to go in the competition was 31-year-old Daniel Coyle from Co Derry riding Farrel, and he gave Ireland the perfect start with a clear.
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He was followed by his older brother Jordan Coyle (33) with Chaccolino, and he also jumped clear to keep Ireland on a zero score. So when Ireland’s third combination, Cork’s Shane Sweetnam with Coriaan Van Klapscheut Z gave Ireland a third clear, that meant anchor rider Cian O’Connor didn’t need to jump in the first round.
Ireland were joined on a zero score heading into the second round by 2024 winners the USA, while Britain were in second on two time faults, just ahead of Switzerland in fourth of the eight teams on four faults.
The second round saw both Coyle brothers complete outstanding double clear performances as Ireland remained fault free. The USA were keeping pace, as their first two riders also jumped clear second time out.
However, the third USA rider, Natalie Dean, picked up four faults and that was quickly followed by the same four fault score by Ireland’s third rider Shane Sweetnam, meaning the competition would go down to the wire.
Laura Kraut was last to jump for the USA and delivered a vital clear, meaning the competition was either destined for a jump-off or a win for the USA.
Having not had to jump in the first round with his horse Kentucky TN, Cian O’Connor came into the arena as last to go for what would be his 20th cap as an Aga Khan team member.
However, when he finished with four faults, victory went to the USA, while Ireland would have to settle for runner-up spot. Switzerland filled third place on the podium on eight faults ahead of Germany in fourth, Britain in fifth. Belgium in sixth, last year’s winners Netherlands in seventh and France in eighth.
Saturday’s highlight at the Dublin Horse Show will be the Defender Puissance as horse and rider take on the big red wall. The 2026 Dublin Horse Show will come to a close on Sunday with the €1m Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland.
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Ireland finish as runners-up as USA win Aga Khan on historic 100th anniversary
FOR THE SECOND time in the past three years the American Show Jumping team has lifted the Aga Khan trophy, after a dramatic competition on what was the 100th running of the Nations Cup of Ireland, at the Gallagher Dublin Horse Show in the RDS Ballsbridge.
A nail-biting competition went right down the wire, with a clear round from 2025 Dublin Grand Prix winner Laura Kraut proving the vital score that would seal victory for the Americans.
The 100th Aga Khan at the Dublin Horse Show was also historic in that it saw the first time that two brothers featured on the same Irish team. First to go in the competition was 31-year-old Daniel Coyle from Co Derry riding Farrel, and he gave Ireland the perfect start with a clear.
He was followed by his older brother Jordan Coyle (33) with Chaccolino, and he also jumped clear to keep Ireland on a zero score. So when Ireland’s third combination, Cork’s Shane Sweetnam with Coriaan Van Klapscheut Z gave Ireland a third clear, that meant anchor rider Cian O’Connor didn’t need to jump in the first round.
Ireland were joined on a zero score heading into the second round by 2024 winners the USA, while Britain were in second on two time faults, just ahead of Switzerland in fourth of the eight teams on four faults.
The second round saw both Coyle brothers complete outstanding double clear performances as Ireland remained fault free. The USA were keeping pace, as their first two riders also jumped clear second time out.
However, the third USA rider, Natalie Dean, picked up four faults and that was quickly followed by the same four fault score by Ireland’s third rider Shane Sweetnam, meaning the competition would go down to the wire.
Laura Kraut was last to jump for the USA and delivered a vital clear, meaning the competition was either destined for a jump-off or a win for the USA.
Having not had to jump in the first round with his horse Kentucky TN, Cian O’Connor came into the arena as last to go for what would be his 20th cap as an Aga Khan team member.
However, when he finished with four faults, victory went to the USA, while Ireland would have to settle for runner-up spot. Switzerland filled third place on the podium on eight faults ahead of Germany in fourth, Britain in fifth. Belgium in sixth, last year’s winners Netherlands in seventh and France in eighth.
Saturday’s highlight at the Dublin Horse Show will be the Defender Puissance as horse and rider take on the big red wall. The 2026 Dublin Horse Show will come to a close on Sunday with the €1m Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland.
Report courtesy of the Irish Horse Board.
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Dublin Horse Show show jumping