The Italian side, at 100-1 odds with the bookies, put in a fairytale performance to claim the Aga Khan trophy of international show jumping following an extremely poor season.

The new stewardship of former Swiss rider Markus Fuchs was being credited with the dramatic turnaround in the final leg of the Meydan FEI Nations' Cup series after taking the four member team over only three weeks ago.

Italians Ride off with Cup in Shock Victory 

The London Independent; By Louise Hogan; Saturday August 08 2009 

IRELAND put in a dismal performance in front of a packed home crowd in yesterday's Aga Khan Nations' Cup, despite being hotly tipped as contenders for the coveted trophy.

Team manager Robert Splaine touted the Irish-foursome as being in the running over the challenging course but a shock victory from a rank outsider delivered on the day.

The Italian side, at 100-1 odds with the bookies, put in a fairytale performance to claim the Aga Khan trophy as they have been relegated from the top ranks of international show jumping following an extremely poor season.

The new stewardship of former Swiss rider Markus Fuchs was being credited with the dramatic turnaround in the final leg of the Meydan FEI Nations' Cup series after taking the team over only three weeks ago

After the Irish side clocked up the highest number of faults among the eight teams, Chef d'Equipe Splaine said: "Today was disappointing for me but it was the end of the series and we did stay in the Meydan series for next year, and we did win one leg outright." 

The Italian anthem rang out across the jam-packed main arena at the RDS as President Mary McAleese, accompanied by her husband Martin, presented the Aga Khan trophy to the Italian team manager Mr Fuchs. 

Mr Fuchs said he had gathered together the best possible combination of horses and riders for the final competition. 

"I got the best team to Dublin and I think it turned out good," he said. 

Italy will be relegated from the top ranks of international team show jumping next year, while Belgium and the UK may join them. 

More than 40,000 horse-lovers are expected to flock to the show over the final two days, as the Land Rover Puissance gets under way today and international competitors vie for a stake of the lucrative prize pot in the Longines International Grand Prix tomorrow. 

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/
italians-ride-off-with-cup-in-shock-victory-1854865.html
 

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