THE backdrop wasn’t quite as traditional as usual for the renewal of Friday’s Aga Khan Nations Cup at the 150th Dublin Horse Show. Despite ongoing construction on the Ballsbridge site, the atmosphere lived up to expectation when fans packed out the grandstand and new north stand to watch The Netherlands lift the historic trophy for just the third time.

Michael Blake’s Irish team were going for their 25th win, and first since 2022, but it wasn’t to be when they had to settle for third place behind a strong German team in second. It was Ireland’s 12th podium finish in Dublin since 2010.