The NetJets U.S. Jumping Team topped the podium at the conclusion of the FEI Jumping Nations Cup of Ireland, winning the Aga Khan Trophy. The U.S. team, made up of Lucy Davis, Spencer Smith, Aaron Vale and McLain Ward, produced a strong team score in both rounds of competition to take first place overall. They finished on a final team total of 4 faults, while Ireland came in second on 8 faults, and Great Britain took third on 12 faults. This marks the U.S. Jumping Team’s third win in the FEI Jumping Nations Cup of Ireland CSIO5* and their first victory in Dublin since 2017.

“They were unbelievable. No question,” said Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland. “Spencer led off, McLain wrapped it up, and the other two were fantastic. The double clear of Spencer’s right from the get-go takes the pressure off everyone, which is a positive thing when everything is so competitive.

“Lucy’s riding nearly the like she was four years ago before she took a break from the sport,” he continued. “She fought her way back up to this level, and the more she gets to know this horse the better the partnership will get.”

The U.S. drew first in the overall order. Spencer Smith (Wellington, Florida), the youngest athlete on the team, was first out and responsible for pathfinding around the track designed by Alan Wade (Ireland) on the historic grass of the Dublin Horse Show. Smith navigated Keeneland around the course with precision, earning another clear score for the team.

The next combination, Lucy Davis (Brooklyn, New York) aboard Ben 431, followed Smith’s clear round, making their first team appearance for the U.S. as a partnership. Davis, an Olympian and team silver medalist from the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, added a second clear round to the team’s total score to keep them on zero.

In their fourth appearance for the team in the European Nations Cup schedule, Aaron Vale (Williston, Florida) and Carissimo 25 maintained the team’s momentum with a careful, clear round. Because three clears had already been secured by the team, McLain Ward (Brewster, New York) and Callas weren’t required to jump the first round but needed to earn their qualification for the Grand Prix on Sunday. The pair executed the team’s fourth consecutive clear of the first round, clinching the team’s first place in the standings.

Smith and Keeneland, an 11-year-old Zangersheide gelding owned by Ashland Farms and groomed by Nicole Mancini, began the second round for the U.S. as the last combination to return, with the international team order switching to reverse order of standing. The pair crossed through the finish timers in 70.33 seconds with all rails intact for their second clear. In their two team appearances in 2024, Smith and Keeneland have produced clear rounds for the U.S.

With the pressure mounting, Davis and Ben 431, a 13-year-old Westphalian gelding owned by Old Oak Group and groomed by Charlotte Oakes, needed to keep pace to hold Ireland and Great Britain at bay. The duo rode a nearly clear round, just nudging the top rail on the final vertical to add 4 faults.

Vale and Carissimo 25, an 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by the Carissimo Group and groomed by Nicky Cook, finished their second round in 72.13 seconds with one rail down at the final oxer, putting the U.S. on a minimum final score of 4.

The Irish team’s final clear round meant the U.S. had to go head-to-head to determine the winner. Ward and Callas, a 16-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by Beechwood Stables LLC and groomed by Virginie Casterman, leveraged their experience. The duo managed a challenging triple combination and related line before the open water to secure a clear round, earning the team their place at the top of the podium.

“There was a big momentum swing coming here after the Olympic Games, and everyone really stepped up to the plate,” Ridland said. “This is a special event, and it’s a Nations Cup like no other, so it feels good to win this again. The crowd is amazing, and they’re so supportive of the U.S. team. It’s really one of the best competitions in the world.”