Italy pipped Ireland in a two-way jump-off at the penultimate leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2016 Europe Division 1 League at the Royal Dublin Society showgrounds in Dublin (IRL).

With both countries on a zero score after two hard-fought rounds, the result was decided in a head-to-head between Denis Lynch and Piergiorgio Bucci. And it was heartbreak for the host nation when Lynch’s horse, All Star, ducked out at the final fence, leaving the gate wide open for his Italian rival. Bucci took his time to seal it with a careful clear with his stallion Casallo Z.

This was Italy’s fifth victory in the 90-year history of the Aga Khan Cup which is awarded to the winning side at the Irish fixture. The first Italian team to lift the coveted trophy back in 1955 included the legendary Lt Raimondo D’Inzeo and Merano, and the last was posted back in 2009 when Piergiorgio Bucci was also in the team.

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