IT will be hard to top the thrill of last year’s Aga Khan Nations Cup competition. A return to the five-star international classes for the first time since 2019, the 2022 Dublin Horse Show was magical from start to finish and Ireland’s win in Friday afternoon’s feature class lighted the spirits of equestrian fans all over the country.

It was a first win since 2015 for the home nation and Michael Blake’s first as team manager. The manner in which it played out – victory in a jump-off after a spectacular round from Conor Swail – added to the excitement, while there were also two Irish-breds (Kilkenny and James Kann Cruz) on the team.