Three Women, Three Nations, Three Titles: Dublin’s Historic Week of Champions
It had been more than six decades since the Dublin Horse Show saw three women win three of its most coveted international titles in the same week. In 2025, that changed. The RDS became the stage for an extraordinary display of skill and determination from Irish rider Niamh McEvoy, England’s Rachel Proudley, and America’s Laura Kraut. Three riders from three different nations, each delivering in her own arena, each stamping her name on a week that will be remembered as one of the most significant moments for women in show jumping.
For Niamh McEvoy, Dublin 2025 was nothing short of a masterclass in versatility and consistency. Her week began with a win in the early international young-horse rounds and built into a remarkable sweep across age divisions: she claimed the 4-Year-Old ‘Mo Chroi’ Championship, the 5-Year-Old ‘Flexible’ title, and the 6-Year-Old ‘Cruising’ National Championship—earning the Michael Moran Memorial Trophy in the process. She also topped the Dublin Stakes, captured top standings in the international 7 & 8-Year-Old finals, and secured strong placings in senior speed and national stakes events. Her results book from Dublin reads like a blueprint in horse-production and competitive excellence. McEvoy’s roots in the sport run deep, with early success on ponies, steady progression through youth ranks and European shows, and the creation of top horses from an early stage. At the RDS, she proved she is not simply a rider with potential—she is already a force, delivering performances of intelligence, balance, and reliability throughout the entire week.
Rachel Proudley’s victory in the Defender Puissance was one of the most electric moments of the RDS show. Riding Easy Boy de Laubry Z, she approached the towering wall with the quiet confidence of someone whose trust in her mount had been earned over countless hours of training, travel, and shared effort. It was this partnership, built on mutual faith and shared courage, that carried them over to take the title. While many spotlight her youth, what truly stood out was the maturity in their bond—a presence already operating at a level that many established riders seek. At Dublin, Rachel reminded everyone that this is not just about a rising star—it is about a rider already delivering at the top tier of the sport.
Laura Kraut brought the kind of presence to Dublin that only comes from decades of performing at the sport’s global summit. Leading the U.S. squad in the Nations Cup of Ireland, she delivered two flawless rounds under the greatest of pressure to help secure the Aga Khan Trophy. For Kraut, this was another prestigious win in an already storied career. Yet its deeper resonance lay in what it represented: proof that perceived age is no barrier to competing—and winning—at the highest levels. For women who may have stepped aside to raise families, manage careers, or regroup from life’s breaks, her Dublin performance stands as a reminder: the door to the sport’s top arenas never truly closes. Her calm leadership and sustained precision continue to set a standard across generations.
Three riders, three nations, three victories that will now form part of Dublin’s proud legacy. McEvoy’s all-round dominance, Proudley’s unshakeable partnership, and Kraut’s inspirational leadership together showcased the depth and breadth of female talent in show jumping. In a single week, these women honoured tradition, reframed expectations, and reminded us all that women’s triumphs at the pinnacle of the sport are not outliers—they are becoming its defining rhythm
