It was an intensely exciting equestrian encounter that made history today: Ireland winning the Aga Khan trophy in a jump-off for its home Nations Cup at the Dublin Horse Show.
The crowd in the packed stands around the emerald grass arena at the Royal Dublin Society grounds was treated to an epic equestrian battle. Cian O’Connor, last to go for the Irish in the second round, put in a perfect trip aboard Kilkenny that tied the Irish with the French, each on 4 penalties. (The Irish had zero penalties in the first round, the French 4; in the second round, the scores were switched, leaving each nation on 4 total when taking into account the drop scores).
That necessitated a one-on-one tie-breaker, with France’s Marc Dilasser on Arioto de Gevres starting out first, putting in a clear round in 31.81 seconds.
Conor Swail was picked to represent Ireland in the jump-off. As he had been the first to go in the previous two rounds with Count Me In, it was judged that his horse was not only the most rested, but also fast enough to be equal to the task of breaking the tie. He lived up to chef d’equipe Michael Blake’s faith in him, taking the title with his perfect trip in 30.31 seconds as the crowd roared its approval.
This was the fourth time that Ireland had won the most prestigious trophy in the Nations Cup series, but the first time since 2015.
Conor Swail with the Aga Khan trophy.
Coming on the heels of Ireland qualifying last week for the 2024 Paris Olympics by finishing fourth in the Ecco FEI World Championships, it put an ecstatic Michael over the top.
“It was a lot of drama for me,” said the chef d’equipe, radiating joy.
“It was a good fight from Cian to keep us in the Games,” he continued, then added, “Wasn’t Conor just amazing?”
Comparing Count Me In to “just a big pony,” he cited all the winning that horse has done this year, and then praised his team.
“I can’t be thankful enough to be able to work with these guys. They were so good, so professional. When we had to fight back, we fought back. You have no idea how much this means to me, to get the Olympic Games qualification and the Aga Khan in seven days. That’s just the stuff of dreams.”
There’s one reason he’s dedicating himself to the team.
“I’m doing it because I love the sport. I breathe it. There’s no other feeling like it. Team jumping is just the most amazing thing. The excitement that was here today–where would you see that anywhere else? We’re jumping all day, and with a competition at the end between two horses.”
Chef D’Equipe Michel Blake hoists the Aga Khan trophy with his team, Cian O’Connor, Shane Sweetnam, Conor Swail and Max Wachman. (Photo courtesy FEI)
Dublin, which has been absent for two years in the wake of Covid, is the most amazing show. Those who haven’t been should go if they’re interested in the essence of international show jumping in a very special venue. The enthusiasm of fans is magnificent, and they were more avid than ever celebrating the show’s return.
“The crowd to get behind you, it does lift you,” said Michael.
Conor Swail greets the crowd after clinching the Irish Aga Khan victory.
“To see the crowd that were here today and how they appreciated that. They probably enjoyed having to go to a third round, but it wasn’t enjoyable for me,” he said, and with the tension the jump-off generated, that was understandable.
The U.S. finished sixth of seven teams, with only Laura Kraut (Confu) going double-clear over the brawny course.
Lillie Keenan (Queensland E) and Katherine Dinan (Brego R’N B) were fault-free in the second round after knockdowns in the first. Spencer Smith had nine penalties in the second round and 12 in the first with Untouchable 32 after he lost a stirrup.
Putting in three clears in the second round was “a tremendous comeback effort for our team,” said Coach Robert Ridland.
“We went over what didn’t work one-on-one and each combination had a different area to fix, but they were fixes that were easy for them to address. Each of them executed what we discussed in their second rounds.
“Laura just needed to do the same thing in the second round and it went to plan. The grit and the determination, and the ability to turn the switch, fix the problem, and not get down with the result or where we were, but to come back and fight was just amazing. It was a tremendous second- round effort on everyone’s part and it was great to see from this team.”
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