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<p>As the thrilling conclusion to the season, this event promises to showcase the best of the best in the world of show jumping. In this article, we'll take a closer look at five teams that are poised to make a big impact in Barcelona.</p>
<h2>Sweden: A Powerhouse Seeking Redemption</h2>
<p>The Swedish team, led by the dynamic duo of King Edward and Henrik von Eckermann, is a force to be reckoned with. Despite a less-than-ideal finish in Paris, this team is hungry for success and determined to prove their mettle in Barcelona. With their impressive track record and undeniable talent, Sweden is a top contender for the podium.</p>
<p>According to our numbers, Sweden could bring forward the highest-rated team, led by Henrik von Eckermann's King Edward (809). With back-up from his Olympic teammates, Peder Fredricson on the 18-year-old Catch Me Not S (757), Rolf-G&ouml;ran Bengtsson with Zuccero HV (744) and Malin Baryard-Johnsson on H&amp;M Indiana (757).</p>
<h2>Germany: Consistency and Skill in Spades</h2>
<p>Germany has been a standout performer throughout the season, thanks in no small part to the incredible efforts of their female riders. Jana Wargers and J&ouml;rne Sprehe have been particularly impressive, contributing to the team's stellar clear round rate.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Last year's Nations Cup Final winners have had an incredible season where team competitions are concerned, picking up four five-star Nations Cup victories. With a perfect balance of experience and youthful energy, Germany is a team to watch closely in Barcelona.</p>
<h2>The Netherlands: An Olympic Squad Ready for Battle</h2>
<p>The Dutch team is bringing their A-game to Barcelona, with a lineup that features Olympic-level talent. Maikel van der Vleuten, fresh from picking up an Individual Bronze medal at the Paris Olympics on his partner Beauville Z N.O.P. (780), leads a squad that includes the formidable Harrie Smolders and Uricas vd Kattevennen (754) and the Olympic super-sub Kim Emmen with Imagine (737). They are joined by the rising stars Lars Kersten and the ten-year-old Funky Fred Marienshof Z (711), who produced one of just two double clear rounds in the tough Nations Cup of Brussels.</p>
<p>With such a strong roster, the Netherlands is poised to make a serious run for the top spot on the podium.</p>
<h2>Ireland: Hungry for Victory and Ready to Shine</h2>
<p>Ireland has had a remarkable season, consistently performing at a high level and even topping the overall Longines League of Nations standings. On eight occasions, they have graced the podium of a five-star Nations, two of those have translated into wins. However, these near-misses have left this talented team eager to prove themselves once again.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Cian O'Connor has been the busiest Irish team rider and has been a key player in the Irish success, he will likely ride his promising nine-year-old Fancy de Kergane (736). He is backed up by Daniel Coyle and his incredible Legacy (763), as well as Denis Lynch and Mark McAuley. With this team, Ireland is a squad that should never be underestimated.</p>
<h2>USA: The Dark Horse with Plenty of Surprises</h2>
<p>While they may not be the first team that comes to mind when discussing favorites, the USA has proven time and again that they are capable of pulling off stunning upsets. The partnership between Spencer Smith and Keeneland (721) has been a key factor in their success, with an impressive clear round rate. If they can harness their talent and ride the wave of momentum from their win in Dublin, the USA could be the dark horse that takes the win in Barcelona.</p>
<p><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/3ff47237-14c0-45fe-bba7-e9f61555e220?width=1826&amp;height=1378" alt="Xei Oz the Story of 2024 in 5 Star Team Show Jumping  (2)"></p>
<p><br>As the Barcelona Longines League of Nations final approaches, the excitement in the show jumping community is palpable. With so many talented teams vying for the top spot, predicting a winner is no easy task. Will Sweden redeem themselves after Paris? Can Germany continue their streak of consistency? Will the Netherlands' Olympic squad prove too tough to beat? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the competition in Barcelona will be fierce, and the performances will be nothing short of spectacular. Don't miss out on this thrilling conclusion to the show jumping season!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Listen to the Barcelona Longines League of Nations Preview Show on the EquiRatings Jumping Podcast.</p>
<p><iframe style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/33315127/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/000000/time-start/00:00:00/playlist-height/200/direction/backward/download/yes/font-color/FFFFFF" width="100%" height="192" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>

5 Jumping Teams to Watch at the Barcelona LLN Final

<p>The Spruce Meadows Masters has been deeply rooted in showjumping history. Riders gather from all over the world with their best horses for a chance to compete on the legendary grass turf in the International Arena.</p>
<h2><br>The Live Contender</h2>
<p>The main focus of the week will undoubtedly be on Andre Thieme and his incredible partner, DSP Chakaria. The pair became European Champions almost exactly three years ago and have since gone on to claim several Grand Prix titles. It wasn't until several months ago that they claimed their first Rolex Major Grand Prix title in front of the home crowd in Aachen. This means they will enter the Spruce Meadows Grand Prix as the live contender to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping.</p>
<h2>The Only Winner &amp; Grand Slam Master</h2>
<p>The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping was first launched in 2014. Over these 11 years, only one rider has successfully managed to win three Rolex Majors consecutively and thus claim the Rolex Grand Slam. It was in Calgary nine years ago that Scott Brash achieved this and, to date, he remains the only athlete to accomplish this feat.<br>Fresh from helping Team GB win Olympic Team Gold, Brash will be on the radar of many to produce a strong performance in Sunday's Grand Prix. He will likely come forward on his Olympic mount, Hello Jefferson. Already, Hello Jefferson is the horse with the most starts in Rolex Major Grand Prix in the history of the league. In Aachen last June, the bay gelding jumped his 14th Rolex Grand Slam to overtake HH Azur, who had competed in 13 Rolex Major Grand Prix.<br>Thus far, Hello Jefferson's best finish in a Rolex Grand Slam Grand Prix was in 2022 at the CHIO in Aachen. The pair finished second behind surprise winners, Gerrit Nieberg &amp; Ben 431, by less than a second margin.<br>Will their 15th attempt be the one that gets Hello Jefferson his Rolex Major Grand Prix victory?</p>
<h2>The Consistent Contender</h2>
<p>We cannot look past last year's Grand Prix winners here in Spruce Meadows. Martin Fuchs and his gorgeous grey gelding, Leone Jei, were breathtaking here last year when they produced the only double clear to claim the victory. Leone Jei's record in the Rolex Grand Slam Grand Prix is absolutely extraordinary. To date, Leone Jei has competed in 11 Rolex Majors. Only twice has he finished outside the Top 8. Besides their win here last year, they also won the 2022 Geneva Grand Prix and joined Gazelle, Pret a Tout, and HH Azur as two-time Major Grand Prix winners. So far, only Scott Brash's Hello Sanctos is a three-time Major winner and did so consecutively. In their last two outings, Leone and Martin have finished just beside the podium in fourth place, both at the Dutch Masters in 's-Hertogenbosch and at the CHIO Aachen. With such an incredible record and superb recent form, they are definitely a combination to be reckoned with this week.</p>

Rolex Grand Slam Regulars Take Root in Spruce

<p>The Rolex Grand Prix at the Brussels Stephex Masters is poised to be a thrilling showdown, with some of the world's top show jumping combinations vying for the prestigious title. From seasoned champions to rising stars, the competition promises to keep spectators on the edge of their seats as riders navigate a challenging course in pursuit of victory.</p>
<h2><br>The Favourites</h2>
<p>A strong line-up of riders is set to take on this Rolex Grand Prix of Brussels on Sunday afternoon. One of the biggest hopefuls for the win is Swiss powerhouse, Steve Guerdat. With <strong>Dynamix de Belheme </strong>as his partner, he brings the second highest-rated horse in the world to the start in Brussels. Aside from being reigning European Champions, this pair are fresh off winning Individual Silver at the Paris Olympic Games earlier this month. It will come as no surprise that this pair enter the competition as favourites to win with a win chance of 9%.</p>
<p>The Swiss already spoiled a Belgian party here on Friday when they beat the home nation to win Friday&rsquo;s Nations Cup. They come out in full force again for the Grand Prix on Sunday. Another strong contender for the win is Martin Fuchs on <strong>Conner Jei</strong>. A combination that has shown hugely strong form over their last couple of outings. Before securing the Swiss Nations Cup win here in Brussels, they had come fresh off jumping double clear in the Nations Cup in Dublin, before taking victory in the Rolex Grand Prix there. They enter the competition as second favourites on a win chance of 7%. No rider has won more five-star Grand Prixs this year than Fuchs, can he add another Rolex title to his ever-growing collection?&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Up-and-coming stars</h2>
<p>The amount of young, raw talent set to compete in the Rolex Grand Prix of Brussels is astounding. No less than three of the top 10 highest-rated nine-year-olds in the world will take the start, all for the home team. Pieter Devos and <strong>Casual DV Z</strong> are Belgium&rsquo;s biggest hopeful at a home victory entering on a win chance of 6%. As the highest-rated nine-year-old in the world, Casual has taken to upper-level sport with incredible grace and consistency.&nbsp;<br>Thibeau Spits and <strong>Impress-K van &lsquo;t Katteneye</strong> won their first five-star Grand Prix a few weeks ago and are definitely not to be discounted. In her own back garden in Brussels, Emilie Conter will ride <strong>Portobella van de Fruitkorf</strong> in today&rsquo;s Grand Prix. The pair made their Rolex Grand Prix debut two weeks ago in Dublin which saw them finish inside the Top 10.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>On Flying Form</h2>
<p>Several combinations are entering the Rolex Grand Prix of Brussels on a run of strong form. Winners of last weekend&rsquo;s LGCT Grand Prix of Valkenswaard, Lorenzo de Luca &amp; <strong>Denver de Talma </strong>(4% win chance), are the Italian hopefuls today. They finished ahead of Dutch powerduo, Harrie Smolders &amp; <strong>Monaco N.O.P.</strong> (6% win chance), who will line out again today. We can&rsquo;t mention the Dutch without highlighting the incredible performance from U25 rider Lars Kersten with <strong>Funky Fred Marienshof Z</strong> in Friday&rsquo;s Nations Cup. The pair produced one of just two double clears in the class and are clearly in great shape.</p>
<h2>The Bruynseels Stephex Masters</h2>
<p>The Belgian riders are coming out in full force today to attempt to treat their home audience to a win. One man that will likely be on many a sports fan&rsquo;s radar is Niels Bruynseels. Niels is a three-time winner of the Grand Prix of Brussels, his last one dating back to 2019. Today, he comes forward on a younger horse. On <strong>Origi vd Bisschop</strong>, he was part of the Belgian team that finished second in the Nations Cup here on Friday.&nbsp;</p>
<p><br>With an impressive lineup of talented riders and horses, the Rolex Grand Prix of Brussels is sure to be a nail-biting affair. Will Steve Guerdat and Dynamix de Belheme continue their winning streak, or will a new star emerge to claim the coveted title on home soil? One thing is certain &ndash; the competition will be fierce, and the victor will have truly earned their place in the winner's circle. As the excitement builds, all eyes will be on Brussels to witness show jumping excellence at its finest.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/bc343d05-b789-466d-9d35-4e1f49340ad4?width=1290&amp;height=1656" alt="Eb Pcg Grand Prix Top 10 Win Chances"></p>

Star-Studded Field Set to Battle for Rolex Grand Prix Glory at Brussels Stephex Masters

<p>Available onsite and for streaming viewers, Starchaser challenges players to select one clear round from each of the five sections a class is divided into. The game goes live on the morning of each class and can be accessed via QR codes onsite or <a href="http://play.equiratings.com/" target="_self">CLICK HERE</a>. Players can follow real-time stats and access helpful materials as they play. Unique, signed prizes from the show are available, with a draw determining the winner in case of multiple perfect scores.</p>
<p><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/d1002fdc-58c6-45fb-a99b-fa4244e341d3?width=500&amp;height=500" alt="Star Chaser Square White Background"></p>
<p>By introducing Starchaser, Stephex Masters sets a new standard for audience engagement in equestrian events. It is the result of a new partnership EquiRatings which promises a richer, more immersive experience that combines live competition thrills with data-driven insights and interactive participation.</p>
<p>Want to play....<a href="https://play.equiratings.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CLICK HERE</a></p>
<p><strong>Equiratings</strong></p>
<p>Equiratings is a leading sports technology company, combining world-class equestrian competition with cutting-edge sports analytics. EquiRatings will provide real-time statistics, predictions, and narratives throughout the event, enhancing the viewer experience, particularly for the 5* Nations Cup of Brussels and the Rolex Grand Prix.</p>
<p><br>For these feature classes, EquiRatings will produce comprehensive form guides, offering insights into competitors&rsquo; recent performances and win chances. They&rsquo;ll also create preview podcasts and provide live updates through social media and a dedicated WhatsApp channel.</p>
<p><span style="color: rgb(243, 247, 252);">EquiRatings Starchaser star chaser equiratings play.equiratings.com Brussels Starchaser play</span></p>

Introducing Starchaser: A New Interactive Experience at The Brussels Stephex Masters

Live win & podium chances - Henders & Hazel Nations' Cup

<h2 dir="ltr">The home nation: Belgium&nbsp;</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The hosting nation has lined up a strong team on home soil. With <strong>Wilm Vermeir &amp; IQ van &lsquo;t Steentje</strong> (Elo: 725) as pathfinder, they have brought Olympic experience to the plate.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Perhaps one of the most exciting combinations of this competition, however, is Pieter Devos &amp; homebred nine-year-old, <strong>Casual DV Z</strong> (Elo: 742). Despite Casual&rsquo;s limited experience at the upper-level due to her age, this pair have been hugely successful for the Belgian team in recent months, already producing two double clears in five-star Nations Cups. Casual DV Z is only the sixth nine-year-old in recent history to have been able to produce two double clears in high-level Nations Cups within one year. If they were to add another double clear to their record today, Casual DV Z would go down in history as the first ever nine-year-old to do it thrice.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Belgium enters the Henders &amp; Hazel Nations Cup as third favourites to win with a win chance of 15%. A reminder that last year&rsquo;s Brussels Nations Cup winners, Germany, also entered as third favourites, on a similar win chance of 16%.</p>
<p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The favourite: Switzerland</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Switzerland enters this Nations Cup with the strongest team on paper and will be the main threat for a hometown win. Their anchor combination, <strong>Martin Fuchs &amp; Conner Jei</strong> (Elo: 742) have been in absolute flying form. After delivering a double clear in the Nations Cup in Dublin two weeks ago, they went on to take victory in the Rolex Grand Prix two days later.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">After missing out on the Team Final at the recent Olympic Games, the Swiss will be motivated to show their quality and have brought a star-studded team to Brussels. They enter as the favourites to win with a 19% win chance.</p>
<p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The team to watch: France</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The French bring both experience and youth to Brussels and are feeling confident coming in on the back of securing Team Bronze at their home Olympics in Paris. They kick off here in Brussels with the combination that helped them seal the deal at the Games, <strong>Olivier Perreau &amp; GL Events Dorai d&rsquo;Aiguilly</strong> (Elo: 730).</p>
<p dir="ltr">The highest-rated horse in the class comes next for the French. Despite their young ages, <strong>Jeanne Sadran &amp; Dexter de Kerglenn</strong> (Elo: 752) enter this Henders &amp; Hazel Nations Cup of Brussels as the highest-rated combination in this class. They are full of confidence after their first-ever five-star Grand Prix victory in Paris on home soil.</p>
<p dir="ltr">With a strong, experienced pathfinder in <strong>Kevin Staut &amp; Visconti du Telman</strong> (Elo: 710), the French will be a force to be reckoned with here in Brussels and enter as second-favourites on a win chance of 18%.</p>
<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><img src="https://admin.equiratings.com/assets/227ec89d-758b-4aaf-bc27-92e6b0de6724?width=882&amp;height=1116" alt="Qym Me Team Predictions Summary">&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">It&rsquo;s tight at the top between Switzerland and France, but the Belgian will be motivated to keep the title home.</p>
<p><strong id="docs-internal-guid-50f5702a-7fff-a941-005d-2092496eb7db"><br><br></strong></p>

Nations Cup Showdown in Brussels: Switzerland are Favourites, Belgium and France Chase

<h2>Olympic Reunion</h2>
<p>Spectators will witness the return of several Olympic horses, including team medalists from the most recent Games in Paris. Notable entries include GL Events Dorai d'Aiguilly, part of the French bronze medal-winning team under Olivier Perreau, and Hello Jefferson, who claimed team gold with Scott Brash of Team GB.&nbsp;<br>Finn Lente was successful here in Brussels 12 months ago under Jos&eacute; Maria Larocca when they jumped double clear in the Nations Cup and finished second in the Grand Prix. We are especially looking forward to welcoming Individual Silver medalists, Steve Guerdat &amp; Dynamix de Belheme to Brussels. Other accomplished mounts making their post-Olympic appearances include Colestus Cambridge, IQ van 't Steentje, Bond Jamesbond de Hay, Legacy, H5 Porthos Maestro, and Imagine.</p>
<h2>Nations Cup Excellence</h2>
<p>The 2024 season has seen remarkable performances in five-star Nations Cup events, with 11 horses achieving the impressive feat of two double clear rounds. Among these standouts, two are slated to compete in Brussels, Henrik von Eckerman&rsquo;s Iliana and Pieter Devos&rsquo; homebred Casual DV Z.<br>These exceptional pairs have the opportunity to make history in Brussels by becoming the first this year to secure three double clear rounds in five-star Nations Cups.</p>
<h2>A Potential Record-Breaker</h2>
<p>Special attention will be on the 9-year-old Casual DV Z. If successful in achieving a third double clear, this young talent would become the first horse of its age to accomplish this feat in five-star Nations Cups in a single season since at least 2010, marking a significant milestone in the sport.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Brussels Stephex Masters continues to be a proving ground for equestrian excellence, blending Olympic experience with emerging talent. As the event unfolds, all eyes will be on these exceptional horse-and-rider combinations as they vie for top honors and potentially set new records in the world of show jumping.</p>

Olympic Stars and Rising Talents Set to Shine at Brussels Stephex Masters 2024

<p>The cream of the international sport rose to the top in Friday&rsquo;s prestigious Aga Khan trophy. The burning question for the Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland will be whether or not it is still fresh enough to break Irish hearts once again in the Sunday finale. The home nation has been excellent this week, with wins in both of the top level openers on days one and two. They pushed the US close in the Nations Cup, but had to settle for second. Now they have to defy recent history which shows only one Irish winner in the last seven editions of their home Grand Prix.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>The Contenders</h2>
<p>USA&rsquo;s McLain Ward produced a double clear in the Nations Cup with CALLAS to seal the victory. World Number One, Henrik Von Eckermann led the Swedish team with a double clear aboard ILIANA. Martin Fuchs led the Swiss with two perfect rounds on CONNOR JEI. Belgium&rsquo;s Koen Vereecke and KASANOVA DE LA POMME did the exact same as pathfinders for the eventual fourth-placed nation. ALL of these four combinations return in the Grand Prix and they line-up in the top seven of the EquiRatings Prediction Centre.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Britain&rsquo;s Ben Maher, World Number Two and recent Olympic Team Gold medalist, also led his team with a double-clear, but he now switches horses to his original Olympic selection POINT BREAK. They are joint-favourites with McClain Ward, both on a 7% win chance. That may sound open for a favourites winning chances, but this Grand Prix has extraordinary depth as well as strength.&nbsp;</p>
<p>France&rsquo;s Francois Xavier Boudant rode the top-rated BRAZYL DU MEZEL in the Nations Cup on Friday. They are the reigning champions of this Grand Prix following their win 12 months ago, but nothing went their way 48 hours ago with two fences down, a post-round elimination, and then a full team exit when France couldn&rsquo;t put three scores on the board in round one. If form is temporary but class is permanent, then maybe their forgettable Friday feeling plus fresher legs could prove a lethal combination.</p>
<h2>Home Chances</h2>
<p>Ireland produced three clears for a perfect start on Friday and the second of those was produced by Mark McCauley and GRS LADY AMARO. The Prediction Centre gives them the highest chance of success for the hosts, narrowly ahead of Conor Swail and COUNT ME IN who have done very little wrong in this arena and a huge amount spectacularly right. He won the team jump-off for Ireland in 2022 and will now want to do the same for himself in 2024.</p>
<p>Round two on Friday was a different story for Ireland, with only clear coming from the four riders. This time it was the talisman Cian O&rsquo;Connor that delivered another pressure round and he now switches mount to the up and coming 10-year-old, FERMOY.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<br>As the anticipation builds for Sunday&rsquo;s Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland, all eyes will be on whether the home riders can defy the odds and reclaim their crown on home soil. With an unparalleled field of international talent, the stage is set for a thrilling finale that could see history rewritten&mdash;or hearts broken. One thing is certain: this will be a Grand Prix to remember. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

Final Day in Dublin: Rolex attracts outstanding quality

<p>The USA have taken their 7th Aga Khan win, take a look at how their win chance developed over the course of the competition</p>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-Y1Vad" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="How win chances changed during the first round of the Nations Cup" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Y1Vad/2/" height="413" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Interactive line chart" data-external="1"></iframe></p>
<p>Here are the chance in podium chance for the three teams that finished on that podium</p>
<p><iframe id="datawrapper-chart-8xVLD" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" title="How podium chances changed of final podium of the Nations Cup" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/8xVLD/2/" height="414" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Interactive line chart" data-external="1"></iframe></p>

Live win & podium chances - Nations' Cup of Dublin

<h3>Ireland: The Home Favourites</h3>
<p>Ireland enter the competition as the slight favourites in the EquiRatings prediction centre (18% win chance), boasting an impressive record of six podium finishes from seven five-star Nations Cups this season. The Irish team, led by the seasoned Chef d'Equipe, Michael Blake, is hungry for victory on home soil. The pressure is palpable, especially after a disappointing finish at the Olympics and a missed victory at last year's Nations' Cup in Dublin. The Irish riders know that a win today isn&rsquo;t just for the fans&mdash;it&rsquo;s for their pride and redemption.</p>
<p>Cian O'Connor, Ireland's anchorman, will be riding <strong>Fancy de Kergane</strong>, a young but incredibly promising horse with a perfect record at this level. The team&rsquo;s performance today could be a turning point, not just for the competition but for the morale of Irish show jumping as a whole. The Irish crowd will undoubtedly be on the edge of their seats, cheering for a triumphant return to the top.</p>
<h3>Sweden: A Point to Prove</h3>
<p>Sweden, historically dominant in show jumping, come to Dublin with something to prove (17% win chance). Although they&rsquo;ve held the team gold at the Olympics, Worlds, and Europeans simultaneously&mdash;a feat only ever achieved by Germany before&mdash;they missed out on a medal at the most recent Olympics. The Swedish team today is stacked with talent, including Henrik von Eckermann, but it&rsquo;s not their top-tier team of horses. Still, they&rsquo;re formidable competitors, and a win today would be a powerful statement that they&rsquo;re still a force to be reckoned with.</p>
<h3>France: The Old Adversaries</h3>
<p>France, always a strong contender, come into today&rsquo;s competition with a team that&rsquo;s brimming with experience and recent success (16% win chance). With top riders like Kevin Staut and horses like <strong>Visconti du Telman</strong>, the French team is rock-solid. They&rsquo;ve shown they can handle the pressure, and today, they&rsquo;ll be looking to spoil the Irish party once more.</p>
<h3>The Challengers: Don&rsquo;t Count Them Out</h3>
<p>While Ireland, Sweden, and France dominate the conversation, other teams are more than capable of causing an upset. The Swiss team, though not with their first-string lineup, still has the likes of Martin Fuchs and Steve Guerdat, both capable of pulling off a win (12% win chance). The Belgians, with a young but talented squad, could also surprise everyone (10% win chance). And then there&rsquo;s the Dutch team, led by Harrie Smolders, who could very well fly under the radar and clinch a podium spot (7% win chance).</p>
<h3>A Battle for the Ages</h3>
<p>Today&rsquo;s Aga Khan Nations' Cup is shaping up to be one of the most open and competitive in recent memory. With so many top teams so closely matched, the margin for error is razor-thin. The first round will be crucial&mdash;historically, the team leading after round one has gone on to win nine out of the last ten competitions. Expect a tense, nail-biting contest from start to finish.</p>
<h3>Conclusion: The Stage is Set</h3>
<p>As the riders prepare to enter the ring, the atmosphere at the Dublin Horse Show is electric. The stakes couldn&rsquo;t be higher for the Irish team, who are not only seeking redemption but also the pride of winning on home soil. With Sweden out to reassert their dominance and France looking to spoil the day once again, the Aga Khan Nations' Cup promises to be a fascinating spectacle.</p>
<p>Tune in and witness history in the making as the world&rsquo;s best show jumpers vie for glory in one of the sport&rsquo;s most prestigious events. Today&rsquo;s competition is one you won&rsquo;t want to miss.</p>

Show jumping