The United States have lifted the Aga Khan Trophy for the ninth time in their history as Ireland finished second in the team equestrian competition.The Irish team battled with the Americans to the very end at the 2026 Dublin Horse Show in the RDS on Friday for a centenary edition of the Nations’ Cup of Ireland.The competition brought back the original six teams that competed at the first edition in 1926, when Switzerland lifted the trophy.Laura Kraut, aboard Baloutinue, led the US team, under Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland, to the finish in front of the new Anglesea Stand in the renamed Laya Arena.Cian O’Connor competing in the RDS for the Aga Khan Trophy on Friday. Photograph: Alan Betson Ireland led the competition into the second round with zero faults but the US, also with zero, and Britain, with two faults, didn’t trail far behind. Daniel and Jordan Coyle both achieved clear runs across the two rounds while Shane Sweetman achieved a clear first round.However, it wasn’t enough for an Irish team led by Chef d’Equipe Jessica Kurten that featured Cian O’Connor’s 20th Aga Khan performance. Kurten said she was “absolutely thrilled” with the team’s performance despite the loss.Switzerland finished third in the rankings, followed by Germany in fourth and Great Britain in fifth. The French team finished last behind the Netherlands and Belgium.The Irish Team lead out including Daniel Coyle, Jordan Coyle, Shane Sweetnam and Cian O’Connor at the start of Friday's competition. Photograph: Alan Betson Ireland last won the Aga Khan Trophy in 2022. The present trophy is the sixth in the series as countries can only keep the cup once they have lifted it three consecutive times after a new system of judging was introduced in 1930. The trophy has been lifted a total of five times in the competition’s history. The Swiss were the first to keep the cup, having won it in 1926, 1927 and 1930.Only Ireland (in 1937 and 1979) and Britain (in 1953 and 1975) have since lifted the trophy.The Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland at this year’s show will take place on Sunday, with a €1 million total prize fund this year, the largest ever in Irish equestrian sport.