The Centenary Nations Cup of Ireland, sponsored by Elliott Group, provided drama fitting of such a landmark occasion, with Ireland going agonisingly close to landing the Aga Khan Trophy for the first time since 2022.
A hundred years after the RDS aired one of the very first official renditions of Amhrán na bhFiann, the prospect of the national anthem ringing out to an enthusiastic home crowd in front of the new stand in the Laya Arena existed until the very last moments.
It wasn’t to be, as USA prevailed by virtue of a cumulative score of 0 faults to bag victory for the ninth time.
Historic double clears by the Coyle brothers, Daniel and Jordan, on miracle horse Farrel (owned by Ariel Grange) and Chaccolino (J Coyle & Elan Farm) respectively, and in front of their parents, Eleanor and Fergal, and most of the tiny Derry village of Ardmore, propelled Ireland to the silver medal position.
Castlemagner man Shane Sweetnam, the new World No 3 rider, followed his first-round clear on Coriaan Van Klapscheut Z (Voquest & Sweetnam) with a desperately unlucky four faults, which was the return too for Meath-base Kill native, Cian O’Connor and Kentucky VN (Karlswood Partners) to leave Ireland that one knocked jump off the target.
This was Jessica Kürten’s first Aga Khan as chef d’équipe, having been a winner in the saddle in 2000, 2004 and 2007, and she selected an ultra-strong unit that brought her and the country to the precipice of further glory.
Ireland led at the end of the first round on a quicker time, with the Green Jackets and America flawless and Great Britain right on their coattails on two faults.
Daniel Coyle got things off to a dream start as the pathfinder, not just for the hosts but for the entire competition.
His 16-year-old partner Farrel only returned to top-flight competition in 2024 after missing almost four years with a cyst in his stifle in 2020. His gradually return from unofficial retirement has been one of the stories of the equestrian world and he exhibited his talent and his heart on a fairytale occasion for the Coyle clan in Dublin.
Farrel flew out of the pocket as if he meant business, and he maintained that exuberance, though in a controlled manner and with that, the crucial accuracy.
The crowd were excited too, cheering two obstacles prematurely but horse and rider are experienced enough to block out the atmosphere.
The duo never touched a poll and Coyle added to the exuberance in punching the air on multiple occasions to rouse the home support once more after an inspirational opening effort.
His older brother followed up, marking the first time siblings represented Ireland in the Aga Khan with another fantastic clear. It was a foot-perfect round, Chaccolino showing oceans of scope and eating up the ground with his stride.
Coriaan Van Klapscheut Z has been brought through brilliantly by Sweetnam, who displayed all his horsemanship in steering his keen-going partner around Alan Wade’s tricky test.
They survived two tiny rubs and the roar that greeted Ireland’s third clear surely tested the durability of the new Ballsbridge structure that was filled to the brim.
O’Connor opted to keep his powder dry on Kentucky, with no need to expend energy.
Now Ireland were last to go for the second round and while there is an advantage in that, the flipside is the exertion of scoreboard pressure.
The Coyle siblings answered clear rounds by their American counterparts and one sensed the emotion of the occasion as Jordan dropped his head momentarily into his left hand after passing the finishing line. Eleanor and Fergal must have been bursting with pride.
“Oh my God, what a horse. What a horse. I’ve waited a long time for a horse like this,” Jordan exclaimed afterwards almost in disbelief.
“To jump a double clear in the Aga Khan with your brother. It’s unbelievable.”
Natalie Dean’s four faults with Denis Lynch’s former charge Mr Boombastic, provided an opportunity and Sweetnam and a more settled Coriaan almost availed of it but they had the Aga Kham jump down and did well to get through the final line to ensure a worst possible tally of 4 faults for Ireland.
US legend Laura Kraut was the final line rider with Baloutinue and they heaped all the pressure on O’Connor with a clear.
The Olympic medallist has been in this position on countless occasions and relishes the responsibility. Kentucky jumped like a stag and never looked like tipping a rail but just got a bit close to the second part of the final line, three fences from home.
It was deflating, in its immediacy, but this was an outstanding effort that had the patrons in raptures.
Switzerland, the inaugural winners in 1926 with a team of Irish horses, completed the podium with eight faults.