Dublin, Ireland – The Icon Global U.S. Jumping Team rose to the top the podium in the prestigious Dublin Jumping Nations Cup Dublin for the Aga Khan Trophy at the RDS Dublin Horse Show in Dublin, Ireland, marking an impressive victory for the team in the competition’s 100th edition. Finishing with zero faults after two rounds of elite international competition, the team showcased incredible consistency and composure. The home nation, Ireland, finished in second on four faults, while Switzerland took third on eight faults across both rounds.

“Our team rode beautifully today, and it showed in the results. The first round was impressive, and when we needed the anchor ride in the second round, [Laura] produced and Balou jumped great,” said Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland. “It’s always special to win such a prestigious Nations Cup, but I think the most important thing about today’s results for us is that all four of our combinations contributed to this win. Winning the Aga Khan is special. It’s one of the most coveted trophies in our sport, and it’s been around for more than a hundred years. To be presented with the trophy in the new stadium here at Dublin at the show is a testament to long-term vision and future they have for our sport here.” 

Starting off the rotation for the U.S., Karl Cook (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.) and Caracole de la Roque were the first combination on the team to contest the course designed by Alan Wade (IRL). The pair were sharp and quick, delivering an efficient round for the team, crossing through the finish with zero faults to set the pace. Paris Sellon (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Chad Blue PS continued to build momentum for the team, producing another solid fault-free round to hold the team tally on zero faults looking ahead to the third rotation in round one.

Natalie Dean (Palo Alto, Calif.) and Mr Boombastic followed up on the team’s two clears with a stellar round of their own, notching the third consecutive zero fault performance of the first round for the U.S. Laura Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) and Baloutinue closed out the team’s rotation as anchors, adding four faults to their score. The team would move ahead on zero faults to hold second overall going into round two, sitting just behind the Irish who also moved forward on zero faults.

The second round proved to be a back-and-forth battle with Ireland, as each rotation of combinations continued to deliver top performances. Cook and Caracole de la Roque, a 2012 Selle Français mare (Zandor Z x Kannan) owned by Signe Ostby and cared for by Tessa Falanga, returned for their second trip, and again helped push the team closer to the podium, adding another zero-fault score, while securing one of the seven double-clear efforts seen on the day.  

Sellon and the impressive Chad Blue PS, a 2015 Oldenburg stallion (Chacco-Blue x Sandro Boy) owned by Willow Grace Farms, and cared for by Tristan Gautier, demonstrated their poise and potential, delivering yet another clear round for the team in one of their biggest results to date as a combination for the U.S. Joining fellow teammates Cook and Caracole de la Roque, the pair cemented the second of seven double clear rounds on the day.

In the third rotation, Dean and Mr Boombastic, a 2014 Selle Français gelding (Vigo Cece x Sable Rose) owned by Marigold Sporthorses LLC, and cared for by Luis Garcia, delivered a strong four-fault round for the team, keeping them neck and neck for the top position on the podium, and ensuring a tight wire-to-wire finish for the win, which would be determined by the anchor combinations for both teams.

Coming down to the final combinations, Kraut and longtime, trusted partner, Baloutinue, a 2010 Hanoverian gelding (Balou du Rouet x Landor S) owned by St. Bride’s Farm, and cared for by Alex Tyler Morris, delivered the needed edge to put the red, white, and blue atop the podium, with the pair crossing through the timers in 69.37 seconds without faults, to secure the team’s finish on zero faults across both rounds for the prestigious win.

This is the second time in just three years the U.S. has hoisted the historic Aga Khan Trophy as winners of the Jumping Nations Cup of Dublin CSIO5*.

Results

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