Robert Ridlands’ American team of Laura Kraut (Bisquetta), Lillie Keenan (Kick On), Karl Cook (Caracole de la Roque) and McLain Ward (Imperial HBF) won today’s Intesa Sanpaolo Nations Cup at the 92nd edition of CSIO Rome, Piazza di Siena 2025 on a final tally of just four faults.

This was Team USA’s sixth victory in the long history of this great event in the heart of Rome. But they had to fight every inch of the way, with the French side of Nina Mallevaey (Nikka vd Bisschop), Olivier Perreau (GL Events Dorai D’Aiguilly), Antoine Ermann (Floyd des Pres) and Kevin Staut (Visconti du Telman) keeping up the pressure to the very end.

The Americans last won in 2009 when Kraut was also on the team with her great grey legend, Cedric. And Ward was in the US side that won in 1997 partnering Twist du Valon.

And to the delight of the Roman crowd, Team Italy’s Giacomo Casadei (Marbella du Chabi), Emanuele Gaudiano (Chalou’s Love PS), Paolo Paini (Casal Dorato) and Giulia Martinengo Marquet (Delta Del’Isle) edged Germany out for third place.

Keeping spectators on the edges of their seats, the final result all hinged on the very last man into the ring. A fence down and the USA would be forced into a jump-off with the French who were carrying eight faults. But the multi-medalled McLain Ward held his nerve to deliver his second clear round of the day to maintain his country’s first-round four-fault tally and clinch the coveted trophy in style.