Sports
Nations Cup of Ireland Day at the RDS
Today, Friday, is Nations Cup of Ireland Day at the Gallagher Dublin Horse Show at the RDS, the 100th anniversary of the Nations Cup at the Ballsbridge venue.
Arguably the sports most famous and prestigious prize is on offer, the Aga Khan Perpetual Trophy.
The Jessica Kurten-managed Irish team will be first to jump this afternoon as the home side bids to win the trophy for the first time since 2022.
The Irish side will comprise of Derry’s Daniel Coyle and Farrel, his brother Jordan, riding Chaccolino, Cork’s Shane Sweetnam partnering Coriaan Van Klapscheut Z, with Meath’s Cian O’Connor riding Kentucky TN.
Three of the riders on the Ireland team this afternoon are ranked in the top-25 in the showjumping world rankings. Shane Sweetnam is the highest ranked at number three. Daniel Coyle stands at number 20 in the rankings, five spots ahead of Cian O’Connor on 25.
The other teams competing in the Nations Cup competition today are Britain, Switzerland, Germany, The Netherlands, USA, Belgium and France.
The Parade of Teams will begin in the Laya Arena at 1.45pm.
The first round of the Nations Cup of Ireland will be from 3pm to 4.15pm, with the second round following immediately at 4.30pm. The winning side should be know shortly before 6pm this evening.
Equiraitings.com make Ireland third favourites to win this afternoon, giving them an 18% chance to add to their previous 24 Aga Khan Trophy wins. The Irish showjumping team has also achieved 12 podium finishes here at the RDS since 2010, more than any nation has achieved at any venue.
The U S are pre-competition favourites by Equiraitings.com. The Robert Ridland-managed team is rated with a 23% chance of victory, followed by Otto Becker’s Germany on 22%. The Americans last won the Nations Cup of Ireland in 2024, while the Germans last lifted the Aga Khan Perpetual Trophy in 2007.
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