Team USA Shines in 100th Nations Cup, Guerdat Wins €1M Rolex Grand Prix at Gallagher Dublin Horse Show

Natalie Dean riding Pedro van de Barlebuis @1st Class Images

Dublin, Ireland, Sunday 9 August 2026 – A landmark first year for Gallagher, one of the world’s largest insurance brokers, as title sponsor of the Dublin Horse Show showcased the very best of equestrian sport at all levels. As the Show celebrated 100 years of the Aga Khan trophy, Friday’s Nations’ Cup of Ireland showed why it has a reputation as one of the most prestigious team show jumping competitions in the world, with the United States of America coming out on top. The Show concluded in style with the Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland, where 40 of the world’s top horse and rider combinations vied for a record €1million prize fund, with Steve Guerdat securing the victory.

Nations United to Celebrate 100 Years of the Aga Khan Trophy

Team USA claimed the esteemed Aga Khan Trophy for the ninth time, with Karl Cook, Paris Sellon, Natalie Dean, and Laura Kraut, led by Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland, edging out the home favourites in a thrilling contest. Ireland came agonisingly close to a home victory in the historic 100th edition, with just one fault at the third-last fence ultimately separating them from the Aga Khan Trophy as they finished runners-up on a 0-4 scoreline. Switzerland completed the podium.

Reflecting on the victory, USA team member Laura Kraut, who was riding Baloutinue – the same horse with who she helped secure team silver for the United States at the Tokyo Olympic Games – praised both the atmosphere in Dublin and the challenge posed by the course: “I just love Dublin. The crowd here is the best. The horses love it here, and there really is no better place to jump in the world. The course was typical Alan Wade – he is brilliant. It was a real test of skill and horsemanship.”

Looking beyond individual performances, Ireland’s Chef d’Equipe Jessica Kürten reflected on the significance of leading her country in the 100th Nations Cup of Ireland for the Aga Khan Trophy, while highlighting the importance of partnerships such as Gallagher’s in supporting the breadth and future of the sport. She said: “Winning the Aga Khan Trophy is the ultimate achievement in equestrian team sport. If you are lucky enough to have been on a team that has won it before, you know how it feels, and that is something every rider wants to experience again. Gallagher’s support of the Show means everything to us because it supports not only the Nations Cup and the CSIO5* show jumping in the Laya Arena, but everything else that goes on here, from the showing to the pony jumping. Having Gallagher come in and support the Show is sensational, and it means so much to the equestrian community.”

Record Prize Fund for World’s Best Show Jumpers

The Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland reinforced the exceptional calibre of competition held at the Gallagher Dublin Horse Show. Part of the Rolex Series, the Rolex Grand Prix marked the centenary of Nations’ Cup Jumping at the show with a record prize fund of €1million – the largest individual prize pot in Irish equestrian sport. The course demanded riders to take calculated risks over the 1.60m fences, requiring supreme levels of horsemanship, precision, agility, and speed from all horse and rider partnerships. Steve Guerdat (SUI) claimed victory aboard Albfuehren’s Iashin Sitte, with a fast but exceptionally careful double clear. Ireland’s Jordan Coyle finished second after a brilliant week at the Show with Chaccolino, while Arne van Heel (NED), who was first to go in the draw, completed the podium on Keaton HV.

A Global Sporting Stage

Considering what it takes to succeed at the highest level at the Gallagher Dublin Horse Show, World No. 1 Kent Farrington highlighted the importance of balancing calculated risk with the trust and understanding built between horse and rider. He explained: “Part of winning at a high level, like here at the Gallagher Dublin Horse Show, is calculating the risk and understanding what it is going to take to win the class – without taking so much risk that you put yourself in a position to lose. It’s part of our game, and I’d like to think I have got better at it over the years. The decisions you make in the ring are very dependent on the partnership you have with your horse. Some horses progress quickly and some take a little more time. It’s all about finding the right balance, and it is a very individualised process for each horse.”

Memorable First Year for Gallagher

In addition to its title sponsorship of the Show, Gallagher further reinforced its support through the CSIO5* Gallagher Stakes, which was won by Ireland’s Tom Wachman aboard Do It Easy, with the USA’s Natalie Dean and Laura Kraut finishing second and third, respectively. Wachman is just 21 years old and trains at Karlswood in Ireland, and he produced a superb double-clear to secure victory in front of an ecstatic home crowd. Reflecting on his win, Wachman said: “I am delighted to win the Gallagher Stakes here at my favourite show of the year, in front of an amazing home crowd. Do It Easy is brilliant; he has done a lot for me in my career, and I am very grateful to him. I planned to take the start of the jump-off course a little slower so that I could take an extra stride to the last, and thankfully it worked.”

Another highlight came in Saturday’s Defender Puissance, one of the Dublin Horse Show’s most eagerly anticipated classes. With the Laya Arena packed and the crowd roaring on the competitors as the famous red wall continued to rise, Ireland’s Jordan Coyle and Great Britain’s Rachel Proudley ultimately shared the honours after four rounds of jumping, clearing 2.15m to take joint victory.

Alongside the CSIO5* show jumping, competitors of all levels representing the next generation of Irish equestrian talent took part in a range of show jumping and showing classes over the five days. From First Ridden Pony and Racehorse to Riding Horse Classes, to the Young Riders National Championship (1.25m – 1.30m), it was a true celebration of horses and equestrian sport.

Former Olympic Champion and former Chef d’Equipe of the Irish show jumping team Rodrigo Pessoa reflected on the unique atmosphere that has made the Gallagher Dublin Horse Show such a special fixture on the international equestrian calendar, highlighting the passion and knowledge of the Dublin crowd and the enduring appeal of the Show to the world’s leading riders. He said: “The Gallagher Dublin Horse Show is a very special place. The crowd here is incredible and has such a great knowledge of the sport, which makes it a special atmosphere for us as riders. It is a Show that we are always very happy to come back to, year after year, and hopefully for many years to come.”

Pessoa’s reflections highlight the enduring significance of the Dublin Horse Show, not only as a showcase for world-class sport, but also as an event that supports every level of equestrianism and celebrates the rich heritage of Irish horsemanship. It is these values that resonate strongly with Gallagher, whose title sponsorship reflects a commitment to supporting communities, excellence, and the continued growth of the sport.

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