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Zone 10 wins team gold in Young Rider and Pre-Junior (2)

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August 1, 2026

By Staff Writers

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.--Zone 10 dominated the FEI North American Youth Jumping Championship on Friday, July 31, winning the gold medal in  both Young Rider and Pre-Junior categories.

Zone 10 celebrates its Young Rider Team gold medal at the FEI North American Youth Championships at Flintfields Horse Park. Zone 4 earned silver, while Zone 7 completed the podium with bronze. (Photo by Natalie Suto Photography)In Young Riders, the Zone 4 team that included JJ Torano and Olivia Sweetnam appeared stronger on paper, but Sweetnam, riding a new young horse had an uncharacteristic four and eight faults, and Torano also had a rail down in round two to drop the team to second.

Zone 10 riders Della White, Emmeline Adamick, Grayson Pacelli, and Cameron Trimino, led by chef d’equipe Michael Endicott, finished on 34.23.

The Zone 4 team of JJ Torano, Olivia Sweetnam, Isabelle Ehman, and Jole Kosloske, with chef d'equipe Kim Land won the silver medal on 39.28.

Zone 7 team of Eleanor Rudnicki, Philippa Ammann, Mary Rose Canterbury, and Campbell Brown, led by Chef d’Equipe Mary Ann Thomas, won the bronze medal, finishing on 41.44 penalties, just over two penalties behind second place.

“It feels great to have a gold medal, especially with Zone 10 returning as defending champions,” Adamick said “It’s a really cool feeling. I’m proud of myself and my teammates for doing so well.”

“It is an incredibly rewarding feeling to be holding the gold medal right now, especially alongside this incredible team,” Trimino said. “To represent Zone 10 is always a privilege and to have brought up my horse since he was a 7-year-old to this level, with him not having seen a course like this before and handling it so well, it’s amazing.”

“WE DON'T get to see team competitions very often in the U.S. so this is pretty special,” said Torano, who with Kait Meggenhofen had the only two clear trips in the first round. “We can say we’re competitors but we’re all friends outside the ring. It’s great to come to these rare team events in the United States and be able to compete with our friends.”

“What was really important for us today is that we had good communication and really wanted the best for each other,” Ehman said. “We are all friends and some of us have done teams together before. We know what to expect from one another and we know we all have our strengths and weaknesses. Knowing how to support each other and really being in communication was a big takeaway and a pro for us.”

In Pre-Junior, again under Chef d’Equipe, Michael Endicott, Zone 10 riders Grace Wahlberg, Ripley Ehrlich, Brookelyn Roy, and Vincent Lin finished on just 2 faults for the day, bringing their total team score to 7.94 penalties and winning the gold medal.

Ehrlich and Roy both jumped double-clear efforts, with Wahlberg jumping clear over all fences as well but with 2 time faults.

“Competing on a team has been really exciting because you have a support system and get to be with a group,” Ehrlich said. “But I also think it’s hard because you’re watching everyone and there is so much pressure on the last rider, and on all of us. I really liked the whole team and it was so fun to be with them.”

“I was really nervous going in but I was saying to myself that whatever happens it was still such a cool experience to ride for this team,” anchor rider Roy said. “My horse, Carlo DC Stables Z, is great; he took care of me through the course and I knew I’d be okay.”

The combined team from Zones 5, 8, and 9 with riders Campbell Cauthen, Honor Coulter, Anabelle Deyoung, and Samantha Siler won the silver medal on 8.83.

“With the combined team, we don’t really know each other because we’re from different places so it’s really about building that team spirit and being there for each other,” Cauthen said. “Campbell had a clear round and we all ran out and congratulated her. Being nice teammates to each other is really important and it strengthens the bond.”

Zone 4 won the bronze medal, with all four team members, Ryan Haselden, Sophia Segesman, Sterling Pollard, and Hailey Guidry, all going clean in round one.

In Dressage, Bennett McWhorter of Wellington, Fla. on Dalia won the individual gold medal in the FEI Junior Individual Test, earning a personal-best score of 71.059%'

Adélia Gauthier of Canada on Fayette DDS won silver with a personal-best score of 68.382%, and Lauren Polk of Atlanta, Ga. on Donauwelle P won bronze with a personal-best score of 68.000%.

“It feels incredible. It’s the culmination of our development as a team, Dalia and I," said McWhorter. "It was made possible with the help of my coach, Allie Brott. It feels really incredible to begin to have the next level of harmony in our riding as we go forward. We’ve taken a lot of time to work on the basics and improve our connection as a pair.” 

“My test felt great from the beginning until the end. I never felt that way in a ring before," said Gauthier. "She was with me; she gave all her heart, and everything was flowing. We came a long way to get that suppleness, and I think that’s probably the highlight of my ride. To everybody else, it’s probably our changes, because she has great changes.” 

“It’s amazing to come and score the best you’ve ever scored in a competition at this high level," said Polk. "Our first ride on Wednesday wasn’t the best, but we really managed to control the tension this time and just put out what we had. For today to be my personal best is really just amazing.”

Canada topped today’s Children’s Team Competition podium, posting a combined score of 207.701 to take the gold medal.

Region 1 & 6 earned silver with a combined score of 206.093, and Region 3 & 8 rounded out the podium in bronze position with 204.951.

In Young Riders, the Zone 4 team that included JJ Torano and Olivia Sweetnam appeared stronger on paper,but Sweetnam, riding a new young horse had an uncharacteristic four and eight faults, and Torano also had a rail down in round two to drop the team to second.

Devon Legacy Initiative Kickoff Reception (2)

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August 1, 2026

By Staff Writers

DEVON, Pa,--The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair Foundation is proud to announce the official launch of the Devon Legacy Initiative, a five-year, $5 million effort to preserve, restore, and modernize Devon’s historic grounds and facilities. The initiative will support infrastructure improvements, enhanced hospitality and exhibitor experiences, greater accessibility, and preservation projects that will help ensure Devon remains a world-class equestrian destination for generations to come.

Immerse yourself in Devon’s history alongside fellow supporters, community leaders, past champions, exhibitors, sponsors, and friends for the:

Devon Legacy Initiative Kickoff Reception

When: Thursday, October 8, 2026, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Where: Triple Crown Restaurant in Radnor, Pennsylvania

The evening will unveil the vision for Devon’s future, highlight the projects the initiative will support, and present opportunities to become part of Devon’s lasting legacy.

Violet Tatum won the Junior Individual gold at the Youth Championships (2)

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August 2, 2026

By Staff Writers

TRAVERSE CITY,Mich.--Violet Tatum on BP Swifty, repesenting Zone 10, won the Individual gold medal in the Junior Category over two riders from Zone 2, Scarlett Samuels on Confidence and Rylynn Conway on Capella Y on Saturday, Aug.1.

Violet Tatum on BP Swifty (Photo by Natalie Suto Photography)Zone 10 is California, and Zone 2 is Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.

After five rounds of competition, Tatum finished on a score of just 4.00 penalties, with Samuels second on 5.52 and Conway third on 10.44.

Tatum had just one rail in round two of the Team Competition, where she helped secure a team silver medal, and then had two more clear rounds Saturday finalized her win.

“Going in on top is definitely a lot of pressure but I knew if I gave her a good ride Swifty would give me her all,” Tatum said. “She’s such an incredible horse and this is such a meaningful event to earn gold at.”

“She’s very feisty but I think that is what makes her such a winner,” she said. “She’s all heart, and she just gives me her all every time. She’s so sweet and willing to do whatever I ask of her.”

SAMUELS carried 1.52 penalties from day one, and had one rail down in round one of the Individual Final for the second lowest score of the week.

“Coming in anywhere near contention for a medal is always very stressful, especially at such a big event like this,” Samuels said. “I knew that my horse would give me everything as long as I did my part. He was amazing.”

“My favorite part was to be able to grow so close to these girls that are really strong riders and competitors; to be able to get close with them outside the ring is so special,” she said. “Also to have such a strong support group behind us, to have other riders’ teams on your side, is such a special thing you don’t normally get.”

“Capella always tries her hardest for me,” Conway said. “She’s a super competitive horse so I knew going in we are both capable of it.”

“My favorite part of the week was the team part,” she said. “It was so special to win gold earlier in the week, especially to do it with my team. It was super memorable.”

Georgina Jewel of Wellington, Fla., on Conny 424 finished the week completely penalty-free to win the gold medal in the Children’s category.

Jewel had earlier this year been Children's Jumper Champion at Devon.

“It felt really good,” Jewell said. “I was definitely really nervous because I was going into it. Conny is really sweet and she’ll always help me out. Going into the last round I was really confident because we were clear in all the others so I knew she’d be good.”

Jesus Rigu of Wellington, Fla. on Indigo won the silver medal on .55 penalties.

This is Rigu’s third appearance at NAYC and he won a Zone 4 team gold and an individual silver.

“My horse jumped so well every round,” Rigu said. “The first day wasn’t my best, I was just really nervous. When I get nervous I do things I don’t normally do, but he jumped so well. He helped when I made mistakes and when I rode well I felt like we were clicking every step.”

“This year I went into the Final relieved that I was able to put in three clear rounds going into it,” he said. “Knowing I helped the team win felt really good and now I can finally sleep at night.”

Cisy Zhou on Dalido 8, representing Zone 2, won the bronze.. 

“Going into today I knew I was in the middle of the pack, and I wanted to put in two great rounds,” Zhou said. “After the first round I knew he was jumping great and was clearing everything. My trainers were scared I was going to have a time fault but I knew I had it because I trust my horse a lot. He’s really brave so I was really grateful to have him as my partner.”

Erin Nichols won the U25 Freestyle at the North American Youth Championships (2)

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August 2, 2026

By Staff Writers

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.--Erin Nichols of Wellington, Fla., on Kind Pleasure won the CDIOU25 Grand Prix Freestyle with a personal best score of 73.530%, sweeping all five judges’ panels and capping a triple gold week for the pair.

Erin Nichols on Kind Pleasure (Photo by Centre Line Media)“This show is so special, and to come home with three gold medals is more than you could ever dream of,” Nichols said. “I’m so proud of my horse. He really shined tonight and enjoyed himself, and that’s what we’ve been working on. I’m really excited for the future with him.”

“We bought him when he was nine years old to develop, and now to have our first championship under our belt, you can’t ask for anything more," said Nichols of the now 11-year-old Kind Pleasure. "He’s such a cool horse, and he’s starting to really shine in the ring and show off.”

Nichols rode to a freestyle built around Elton John’s music, designed with Karen Robinson.

“MY GOAL was to use music everyone knows, and everyone can enjoy it," she said. "It’s some of my favorite music too. I was listening to it while braiding Kind Pleasure and dancing along.” 

Alicia Berger of Wellington, Fla., on Aqua Marin won silver with a personal-best score of 71.640%, riding to an Avatar-themed freestyle.

“I just love the music, and I think it fits him well,” Berger said.“The first part is actually Collier Wimmer’s voice; she voices it over just like in the movie, and she says, ‘Are you ready to fly?’ I love that, because that’s exactly what it feels like passaging on Aqua. You’re just flying.”

“Any time you get the chance to passage with him, is amazing," said Berger. "You really feel like you’re floating on clouds, taken in such a powerful but graceful way. There’s nothing like it.” 

Brooke Mancusi of Canada on DeJohn Ymas won the bronze with a personal-best score of 70.460%, riding to a Guns N’ Roses freestyle.

 Eila Fisk of Aiken, S.C., on Quaresma won the Young Rider Individual gold medal with a score of 68.382%, earning her second individual medal of the week on Saturday, Aug, 1 at the North American Youth Championships.

“It literally feels crazy. I legitimately would never have thought I would be here,” said Fisk. “My concern was really just trying to qualify for NAYC this year, because it is both my horse’s and my first year at this level. I spent my winter training, trying to get some pirouettes and tempi changes, and I never thought we’d be able to polish it up in just the past couple of months so we could be here.”

“He was a little stoic in the barn, but after six to 12 months, he really opened up," sai Fisk. Now he’s very cuddly, affectionate, and it really comes out in the ring, too. He’s not a big fan of strangers, but when you get his trust, it’s there for a million years.”

Alison Campbell-Wright of Canada on Vintage won the silver medal with a personal best score of 67.177%.

“NAYC is such a fun experience, and representing Canada, it’s great to be wearing the red and white,” Campbell-Wright said. “It is really nice to see all the different countries come together and have such camaraderie for each other. Even though I’m Canadian, some of my biggest cheers today were for Americans. I always try to watch as many rides as I can and cheer everybody on, because this is such a great experience for youth coming up through the programs.”

“We’ve only had Vintage since December, so it’s been interesting trying to figure out each other,"said Campbell-Wright. "He’s a bit of a character; he loves people, but only once does he get to know them. He’s very opinionated; he has what he likes and what he doesn’t like, and he decides what we’re doing. I love him.”

Allison Berger of Wellington, Fla., on Delacure won the bronze with a personal-best 67.030%, marking Berger’s second medal of the week.

“It was so fun just to compete this whole week,” Berger said. “It was a little different to compete as a team, but much like on team day, I had my whole team and lots of others cheering me on today as well, and that felt amazing. I just wanted to put together a clean test, and he really tried hard for me. I’m happy with how it turned out.”

Berger has ridden Delacure for four years, moving through the levels together after competing with him at NAYC as a Junior.

“He’s so patient with me, and he’s teaching me," she said. "We’re learning together. I’m so grateful to him, and to my coach, Jan Ebeling, and my family. It really takes a village to make it work, and I’m so grateful to everyone who makes this possible.”

Austin Hermann of Cumming, Ga., on Genevieve HF won the gold medal in the Children’s Individual Test with a score of 72.914%, adding to a strong week of results.

“I know it’s a huge deal to win a gold medal, and even multiple medals, at this show,” Hermann said. “I’m so very thankful for everybody who came together to put this on for us, and congratulations to my fellow competitors for coming here.”

"Genevieve will always come to you, rub on you for a bit, and beg for treats and when you don’t have treats, she’s like, okay, I’m done with you," said Hermann. “We just said, ‘let’s go big or go home.’ I really went for it, and we came together to achieve a great result.”

Roberta Carrillo Morales of Mexico on Artillero Mor won the silver medal with a score of 72.732%.

"My test today was so fun. I was hoping I could make it to the podium, and it was so amazing,” Carrillo Morales said. “It feels so good. I was dreaming of winning a podium spot, and thank God I got there. He’s a very good horse. He’s so fun to ride.”

Annabelle Gauthier of Canada on Northwind Marrakesh won the bronze medal with a personal-best score of 71.874%.

“I wasn’t ready for it, but it wasn’t that bad; it’s a great feeling,” Gauthier said, “Monty is so nice to ride because he’s a bit funny.”

Kait Meggenhofen won over JJ Torano in Young Rider (2)

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August 3, 2026

By Staff Writers

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.--Kait Meggenhofen on Diva de Talma won the Young Rider individual gold medal on Sunday, Aug. 2 at the North American Youth Championships.

Kait Meggenhofen on Diva de Taima (Photo by Natalie Suto Photography)Meggenhofen just eked out the victory by .61 over JJ Torano, finishing on 12.99 over Torano's 13.60 after five rounds.

“My mindset was really just to keep consistent and keep going start to finish,” Meggenhofen of Zone 5 said. “I was just happy to be here, let alone have my horse jumping clear. I’m not going to lie, the pressure is hard but I just trust my horse. She’ll do everything to jump for me.”

“Diva is a chestnut mare but doesn’t act like one unless she sees a jump and then she’s all game,” she said. “She’s perfect.”

Torano finished with identical scores in each round as Meggenhofen, however his penalties from the Individual Qualifier put him slightly behind her for the silver.

“From start to finish I thought Inge jumped great,” Torano said. “I was very happy with how I rode. Stepping up to this level you have to be pretty perfect to leave all the jumps up. In the last round I don’t think anyone jumped clear, but I was really happy with Inge; she dealt with it great. She stepped up at the last minute so for her to perform like that I couldn’t be more pleased with her.”

TORANO was one of a few riders over the course of the week to post a clear round, and he and Meggenhofen each posted two, the only two to do so.

“I’d say the first round today was straightforward; it walked just how it rode,” Torano. “The height had an impact on everybody. Round two there were no clear rounds, so I thought it was pretty tough. I know my horse well so I knew where I could leave a little more room at the jumps. Mainly just knowing my horse helped me out today.”

Torano’s next move will be later this month, representing the United States as one of just two riders selected for the Youth Jumping Competition held alongside the 2026 FEI World Championships.

Isabelle Ehman on Darra du Soleil won bronze on a score of 22.28. 

“I’ve had Darra for a while now and I know her pretty well,” Ehman said. “This was our first championship together but I know what she needs to jump her best. That’s a big confidence booster for me to know what’s expected of me to help her jump. I was never really guessing about what I had to do to make it happen, so that kept me levelheaded throughout the week.”

“After my first championship with her, there were definitely a lot of things I needed to do better this week,” she said. “I learned a lot, and that will help me improve for the next championship we do.”

Brookelyn Roy ofZone 10 on Carlo DC Stables Z won the gold medal in Pre-Junior after a flawless performance, finishing on just 1.65 penalties carried forward from day one.

“In my last round I didn’t ride my best but my horse takes care of me,” Roy said. “My biggest takeaway was probably the consistency that I had throughout the week with him and the memories with my team and my horse.”

Kaitlyn Linck, from Zone 2, on Frenesie de Mars won the silver medal after winning the Individual Qualifier, then just having one rail down in the final round of the Individual Final to finish on 4.00 penalties.

“I think the last round was a bit nerve wracking,” Linck said. “My horse was tired at the end of the week so I wasn’t sure how it was going to go. I had to work quite a bit for the last round but she tried her heart out every round. It’s a lot about being consistent and anything can happen in a championship like this.”

Sydney Cummings on Untouchable 34, from Zone 1, was only a tiny fraction of a penalty behind Linck, wining the bronze medal with a nearly perfect performance , having just one rail down in the Team Competition to finish on 4.04 penalties.

“The last round going into it I was in the middle of the pack and I was nervous but I didn’t have much to lose,” Cummings reflected. “I had to try my hardest and I had a lot of fun and it all ended up working out for us.”

Bennett McWhorter won the Junior Individual Freestyle (2)

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August 4, 2026

By Staff Writers

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.--Bennett McWhorter of Wellington, Fla., on Dalia won the gold medal in the Junior Individual Freestyle with a personal best score of 74.355%, and earning his third gold medal of the week.

Bennett McWhorter on Dalia (Photo by Centre Line Media)This year’s championship marked a historic first for NAYC dressage.

Four nations competed in multiple categories throughout the week, with the U.S., Canada, and Mexico joined for the first time ever by the Cayman Islands.

“It really feels great,” McWhorter said. “It’s wonderful to see all of our hard work come together, and I couldn’t have done it without my incredible support, especially my coach, Ali Brock.”

McWhorter’s freestyle, set to music from Wicked, was created with his mother.

“We wanted to have a little fun with the music and had a lovely time helping match the story to Dalia to make it a beautiful, harmonious test,” he said. “Even though it’s at the end of a long week, she still was just so determined and so incredibly supportive of me, so that we could both achieve our goals together.”

Adélia Gauthier of Canada on Fayette DDS won the silver with a personal-best score of 73.460%.

“THIS WHOLE week was just such a surprise for me. I never really thought I could get on that podium, and to be on it twice this week means so much,” Gauthier said. “Throughout the entire week we’ve gained so much confidence in the ring and we’re going to come home with a lot we didn’t have at the start of this championship.”

Miriam Bacon of Columbus, N.C., on Drambuie won the bronze with a score of 70.895%.

“It feels really, really awesome and it was a little unexpected after my past two rides,” Bacon said. “He’s a very reactive horse, a bit hard to manage sometimes, but I’m really proud of him and how far he’s come.”

Eila Fisk of Aiken, S.C., on Quaresma won the Young Rider Individual Freestyle with a score of 72.600%, earning her third gold medal of the week.

“It just really speaks to Quaresma’s heart,” Fisk said. “As a horse, he is so consistent and always tries his hardest. He’ll always put forward as clean of a test as he can. I’m especially proud because it’s our first year at this level and the idea that he can pull that off — it’s a wild feeling.”

“It really all comes together, from Quaresma to my other horses, to my trainer, Laura Abner, and the barn,” she said. “I would have never thought at the beginning of the week that we’d take home three gold medals.”

“Last minute, we decided to add some degree of difficulty with our tempis on a circle, and to see that come out successful today was crazy. A couple of months ago we were just trying to get four changes on a line straight,” she said. “I’m so happy with how it turned out.”

Eliza Marshall ofCanada on Ramazzotti Langholt won the silver with a personal-best score of 72.125%.

“I think it was about trusting the horse,” Marshall said. “I’ve been a little conservative these past two days, and coming fourth yesterday made me want this. To have that focus and be able to ask of him. That’s a very cool feeling, and he’s only nine.”

“It’s my first year at Young Riders, and his first year at this level too, so it’s really exciting to be here with something I’ve had the chance to develop.”

Alison Campbell-Wright of Canada on Vintage won the bronze with a score of 72.015% for bronze, her second medal of the week.

“Honestly, it feels crazy surreal,” she said. “We just got Vintage in December, so I was happy to be here and experience a bigger atmosphere with him. Coming out with two medals is insane. I don’t think it’s fully registered yet.” Campbell-Wright said the week taught her to trust the process. “I’ve been so focused on everything that needs to be perfect and detailed. Coming into the weekend, I really trusted him more each day, and it was fun to just play around and see what he can do.”

JJ Torano and Olivia Sweetnam to compete at World Championships (2)

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August 5, 2026

By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--US Equestrian announced the two individual jumping combinations selected to represent U.S. Jumping at the CSI-Y Aachen, hosted from Aug. 21-23, during the FEI Jumping World Championships in Aachen, Germany.

The riders will be supported by Erin Keating, Director of Jumping Development Programs.

The following will represent U.S. Jumping at the 2026 CSI-Y Aachen, hosted during the 2026 FEI Jumping World Championships Aachen, and are listed in alphabetical order.

Olivia Sweetnam of Wellington, Fla., on Gilona AO

JJ Torano of Wellington, Fla., on Lyon 50

Competition Information

The CSI-Y Aachen will feature three days of international jumping competition for youth riders with courses set at 1.45m in height, beginning on Friday, Aug. 21, with the STAWAG Prize starting at 2:00 p.m. GMT, which is 8:00 a.m. ET.

On Saturday, Aug. 22, is the Prize of Sparkasse, starting at 4:30 p.m., which is 10:30 a.m. ET.

The CSI-Y Aachen will end with the NetAachen-Prize starting at 10:30 a.m., which is 4:30 a.m. ET.

Smart Uncle won the G1 Smithwick for Jack Fisher (2)

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August 5, 2026

By Staff Writers

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.--Jack Fisher saddled Smart Uncle to win the G2, $150,000, 2 3/8 mile A.P. Smithwick Memorial Handicap on Aug. 5 at Saratoga race track.  

Smart Uncle, left. outduels Roja Redemption, Fil Dor, grey nose far right, finishing fast on the inside in the Smithwick (Photo by Tod Marks)Owned by Mrs. S. K. Johnston, Jr. and ridden by Jamie Bargary, Smart Uncle won by 3/4 length over Fil Dor, trained by Ricky Hendriks, and Roja Redemption, also trained by Fisher.

Mrs. Johnston bought Smart Uncle in 2024 from owner/breeder George Strawbridge, and since taking over the training Fisher has swapped Smart Uncle back and forth from flat to hurdle races.

Fisher prepped the 6-year-old Uncle Mo gelding in a one-mile flat allowance on July 9 at Colonial Downs, where he finished third.

This was Smart Uncle's first win since taking a flat maiden special weight last August at Delaware Park, improving his lifetime ledger to 22-5-4-4.

“Smart Uncle is a better horse than I thought he was,” Fisher said. “Roja Redemption, I knew what he is, and I thought he ran great. Smart Uncle ran that other horse (Roja Redemtion) down. They both (Smart Uncle and Fil Dor) ran him down, surprised me."

"The race just set up perfectly for him." said Fisher.

BARGARY settled Smart Uncle in fourth early as seven of the eight contenders raced in a compact group behind the runaway pacesetter Take Your Seats, with positions largely unchanged throughout the first three turns.

“We’ve raced against him quite a bit,” Bargary said of Take Your Seats. “The only worry today was he [jockey Evan Dwan] got a breather into him, but we still got to him and got to racing plenty early enough.”

The race favorite McTigue fell over the last fence while making his move towards the lead..

Roja Redemption held a large lead exiting the final turn with Smart Uncle well clear of St James the Great in third and Fil Dor commencing his run from well back.

Roja Redemption dug in gamely under Freddie Procter, but Smart Uncle wore him down with an outside bid to claim the three-quarter-length victory in a final time of 4:42.76.

Fil Dor, carrying 16 pounds more than Smart Uncle, surged on the inside to claim second by a neck over Roja Redemption.

It was 5 3/4 lengths back to fourth-place Salted Carmel, while St James the Great, L’Avvocato and Take Your Seats completed the order of finish.

McTigue was picked up by the outrider and, per The New York Racing Association, Inc. veterinary department, sustained minor lacerations and was given a precautionary ride back to the barn in the equine ambulance.

Watters visited onsite first aid and walked out under his own power.

Bargary said the trip was ideal for Smart Uncle.

“That went perfectly,” he said. “Exactly how I planned it out last night in bed was how it worked out. Lovely to have a lead turned in and I didn’t go until I straightened up because I knew he had that turn-of-foot. We were plenty confident coming in and super happy that it’s actually come off.”

Fisher said both Smart Uncle and Roja Redemption will now point to the 2 3/8-mile G1, $150,000 Jonathan Sheppard Memorial on Sept. 2at Saratoga.

Second placed Fil Dor, ridden by Conor Tierney, was the high weight in the race at 158 pounds and was giving 16 pounds to Smart Uncle.

“Everything went perfect,” said Tierney. “I was in the perfect spot that I wanted to be in. It is just that he was giving the winner 16 pounds, which took its toll the last couple of strides, but I’m very happy with the run. He was very willing right to the line. I couldn’t be happier with that.”

The U.S. won the Nations Cup for the Aga Khan Trophy in Dublin (2)

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August 7, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

DUBLIN, Ireland --The U.S. team of Karl Cook, Paris Sellon, Natalie Dean and Laura Kraut, with chef d'equipe Robert Ridland, won the historic 100th anniversary of the 250,000 Euro Nations Cup for the Aga Khan Trophy in Dublin on Friday, Aug. 7. 

U.S. team, Karl Cook, Natalie Dean, Robert Ridland with the trophy, Laura Kraut and Paris Sellon on the podium in DublinThe U.S.finished on zero faults to win over Ireland with four faults and Switzerland with eight faults.

It was a nail biting competition that came down to the very last horse to go to decide the results.

This trophy is the most coveted and iconic award in show jumping," said Ridland. "To win it on its 100th anniversary is incredible."

“It’s always special to win such a prestigious Nations Cup, but I think the most important thing was that all four of our rider's scores counted Sometimes when you win three riders are good and the fourth had a bad day, but today all four contributed.  Winning the Aga Khan is special."

Cook on Caracole de la Roque,and Sellon on Chad Blue PS both jumped clean in both rounds.

Dean on Mr. Bombastic was clean in round one, while Kraut on Baloutinue had four faults, leaving the U.S. tied with Ireland on zero faults after round one.

IN ROUND TWO, afer Cook's and Sellon's clean rounds, Dean had four faults, while Daniel Coyle and Jordan Coyle for Ireland also went clean, but then Shane Sweetnam had four faults, so the U.S. and Ireland remained tied for first with each team's anchor rider left to go.

Kraut, called in once again to deliver under pressure, did just that and went clean.

If Cian O'Connor had gone clean, there would have been a jump-off for the win, but he had a rail down and the U.S. won.

 “Our team rode beautifully today, and it showed in the results." said Ridland. "The first round was impressive, and when we needed the anchor ride in the second round, Laura produced and Balou jumped great.” 

"I love Dublin," said Kraut. "The crowd here is the best. It was a typical Alan Wade course, with no falls but fences falling everywhere."

"I'm so happy with my horse," said Sellon.

"It's great to win in Dublin," said Dean.

"Caracole is such an amazing horse." said Cook. "Alan's course was tough but fair."

Cook had also posted an impressive win on Foxy de la Roque the day before, winning the 56,000 Euro Palace Hotel Stakes in an 11 horse jump-off.

Cook was clean round in 37.11 to beat Kevin Staut of France on Flexi K, clean in 38.48, while Ridrigo Pessoa of Brazil on Major Tom was third, clean in 38.72.

"What a great win that was," said Ridland. "Karl and his wife just had a baby two months ago, and she and the baby and his whole family were here to see him win."

To make Sellon''s double clear in the Nations Cup even more impressive, this was her first time riding on a senior U.S. team.

"Paris has been based in Europe,and this is a relatively new horse for her," said Ridland.

Sellon's father James Burrows, was the TV Director of Cheers and Friends.

"There was a lot of pomp and circumstance before the class and during the presentation, which made it all the more special," said Ridland. "Paris was handed the gold Aga Khan Trophy to carry during the parade of winners. Charlie Jayne had carried the trophy a few years ago when we won,, and his horse reared and the trophy went flying, so I said to the official. 'Do you want to see the trophy broken again,` and he said 'You broke it before and we fixed it, and we can fix it again."

One of the fun things about today was that the six teams competing in the first Aga Khan Trophy 100 years ago were all competing again today," said Ridland. "The Swiss won then, and they were third today."

This is the second time in just two years the U.S. has hoisted the historic Aga Khan Trophy as winners of the Jumping Nations Cup of Dublin CSIO5* and the ninth time overall.

"We'll be back to try to win it a 10th time," said Ridland.