Irish showjumpers victorious at RDS
Ireland galloped ahead of its showjumping rivals today to seal a stylish victory at this year’s Nation’s Cup at the Dublin Horse Show.
President Mary McAleese presented the Aga Khan Trophy to the victorious riders at the Royal Dublin Society.
One of the youngest riders at the five-day show, 24-year-old Cian O’Connor, stormed through a final clean round to earn the win.
The result leaves the Irish in sixth place for the valuable international Samsung Super League title.
Riders Marion Hughes, Jessica Kurten, Cian O’Connor and Billy Twomey rode Ireland to victory leaving the French lying in second. The United States finished third, followed by Britain in fourth.
Thousands of fans roared and cheered as the team paraded the trophy around the ground accompanied by pipe bands.
The four riders are now set to join fellow Irish Olympic hopefuls at the games in Athens in the coming weeks.
The Aga Khan Trophy competition is the highlight of the Dublin Horse Show and part of this year’s international league.
The four best rider/horse combinations from eight countries around the world battle it out in the Super League elite competition which takes place at eight venues worldwide.
This year Ireland took on Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Netherlands and the USA with the RDS event the sixth time these countries have met.
The Aga Khan Trophy has only been won outright 5 times, as teams have to be successful in the Nation’s Cup three years in a row to be awarded it.
The Swiss in 1930, Ireland in 1937 and 1979, Britain in 1953 and 1975 are the only countries to achieve it.
