In a thrilling turn of events at the Dublin Horse Show, the United States emerged as the winners of the Aga Khan Trophy in the Nations Cup, narrowly beating the Irish team who ended up in second place. Michael Blake’s team, comprised of Cian O’Connor, Denis Lynch, Mark McAuley and Darragh Kenny, put up a strong fight but fell short by one pole down.
The final results were determined after a stellar performance from the US anchor rider, McLain Ward, who successfully executed a clean round under severe pressure riding Callas. Despite a poor start in round one, positioning seventh, Britain managed to claw back and secure a podium finish at third.
Blake, Ireland’s Chef d’Equipe, admitted they had fallen on hard luck that day. Despite the result, Blake expressed immense pride for his team, acknowledging their commendable performance, especially considering their packed year. While he lauded the United States for their well-deserved victory, he rued the missed opportunities that could have potentially swung the outcome in their favour.
Most notably, he pointed out Darragh Kenny’s unlucky touch on the fence and Mark McAuley’s late fall during his first ride. Furthermore, he couldn’t comprehend how Lynch’s pole fell despite a seemingly flawless performance from him and his horse, Vistogrand.
The team had started round one strong, with a succession of clear rounds secured by Kenny and his horse VDL Cartello, McAuley and GRS Lady Amaro, an Irish Sport Horse, and Lynch with Vistogrand. Despite O’Connor’s round not going as planned, it only strengthened the team’s resolve for the second round.
Post interval, the competition intensified as Ireland and the United States; two giants of the line-up, started slugging it out at the top. Unfortunately, due to Kenny’s four faults and McAuley’s eight, along with Lynch and Vistogrand’s four, the Irish team had to contend with a second-place finish.
The trustworthy O’Connor and Fancy De Kergane were required to execute perfectly under intense scrutiny as the United States stumbled, to keep the heat on America’s cornerstone, Ward. Flawlessly performing, O’Connor’s nine-year-old companion received tremendous appreciation from the spectators at RDS, before Ward claimed the win, slotting Ireland in the second place.