Equestrian:The Netherlands claimed victory in this afternoon's Aga Khan Cup showdown at the RDS, comprehensively seeing off the other seven teams in action to win the event for the second time in their history.
Needing a strong finish in the final event to hold on to their place in the elite table, the Dutch walked away with the €64,000 first prize with just four faults over the two rounds.
Eric van der Vleuten and Mark Houtzager led the way, with two clear rounds each, while Jan Vrieling ran a clear second after picking up just four faults in the first.
The result sees the Dutch move above Spain in the Meydan FEI Nations’ Cup standings to sixth, with the Spanish relegated alongside Sweden, Switzerland and Poland.
Ireland battled back from a poor first round to claim a share of second spot with the USA, a result that moves them up one spot in the final rankings to fourth.
Billy Twomey’s clear round on Tinka’s Serenade got Ireland off to a flying start, but Dermott Lennon (Hallmark Elite) picked up 12 faults, while Cian O’Connor (K Club Lady) and Denis Lynch (Nabab’s Son) had eight each as Ireland finished the first round in a share of third spot alongside the USA and Britain.
Twomey picked up four faults in his second run and Ireland’s hopes of making the top three looked in trouble after Lennon completed a miserable day with eight faults. But two clear rounds from O’Connor and Lynch brought the RDS crowd to its feet as they claimed a share of second with the Americans and a cheque for €36,000.
France finished the day in fourth spot, but had already done enough to retain their Nations Cup and pick up a cheque for €100,000.