Magic moments from the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of Ireland

It took 40 years to make it happen, but last Friday Switzerland once again won the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of Ireland at the magical Dublin Horse Show. This was the closing leg for Europe Division 1 for 2023, and also the last Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ in Dublin for now as the traditional Irish venue won’t return as host for the FEI's new series Longines League of Nations when it launches next year.

For Swiss team member Martin Fuchs, the victory was a special one because it was filled with connections to the past. "It was a fantastic day and very emotional. I was thinking a lot about my father (Thomas Fuchs) and godfather Willi Melliger who were both on the winning team 40 years ago. It was a dream to win the Nations Cup here today," said Fuchs.

With their win, Switzerland topped the 2023-edition of the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Europe Division 1 which came to a definite and historic close at the RDS. And with this chapter now closed, we look back at some of the many, many magic moments of the 2023 Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of Ireland – and look forward to discover what the future holds for the historical Aga Khan Nations Cup.

The parade of nations done in style!

Eight teams were competing in the last leg of Europe Division 1.

The Irish boys parading a fully seated RDS.

Shane Sweetnam making his plans during the course walk.

Steve Guerdat during the course inspection, looking cheerful and relaxed with Daniel Etter hot on his heels.

Does it get much better than this? RDS was filled to the brim, and the crowds could watch Switzerland's Steve Guerdat and Venard de Cerisy deliver a double clear.

Bryan Balsiger's Chelsea Z impressed with a clear in the second round, after one rail the first time out.

"I am so proud of my horse and he improves at every show. I really like the atmosphere here and it is a special show for me as I have family living about one hour from Dublin. They were here today and I am so happy!” Balsiger said.

Our Leone Jei-obsession continues... To choose one photo of this horse is an impossible task.

That smile though! Martin Fuchs delivered a double clear for Switzerland, securing the victory for his team.

All the feels!!

"I am so happy I can share this with him today and have the same emotions he had 40 years ago!" Martin Fuchs said with reference to his dad Thomas Fuchs' Nations Cup victory in Dublin in 1983.

Edouard Schmitz and Gamin van’t `Naastveldhof were anchors on the Swiss team, jumping clear in the first round. However, they did not even have to return for round two after all three horse-and-rider combinations before them had jumped clear for the Swiss team.

A happy Edouard Schmitz!

Can't beat this feeling. To jump clear in the Aga Khan is what every Irish rider dreams of. Here Michael Duffy, who was clear in the second round on Cinca to help Ireland finish 2nd.

Cian O'Connor and Eve d'Ouilly were also clear in round two, contributing to a strong Irish finish.

The expression says it all!

Bred and born in Ireland: James Kann Cruz and Shane Sweetnam jumped clear in round one for the Irish.

The lovely Pia Contra jumped with four faults in the first round, and was clear in the second, helping Nicolas Pizarro's Team Mexico finish 3rd.

Federico Fernandez and Romeo celebrating a clear in the second round for Mexico.

Now, that's the faces we like to see! All smiles and thumbs up from Fernandez!

Mexican celebrations as Jose Antonio Chedraui Eguia and H-Lucky Retto came back strong after 20 faults the first time out, to jump clear in the second, which helped Mexico finish 3rd.