SHANE Breen kept up Ireland's European results average this afternoon (Friday) with a third place in the jump-off class at De Steeg in the Netherlands.

The Tipperary-born rider was one of 15 through to the jump-off from a large starting field of 62, and piloting Carmel Ryan's ten year-old grey stallion 'Carmena Z', recorded one of the competition's six double clear rounds.

However, Breen was just under a second off the pace of Britain's Robert Whitaker, who romped home to collect the 5,000 euro first prize on the Irish-bred Cavalier gelding 'Casino'.

Ireland enjoyed a first place last night in the jump-off class at Cannes, France, when Jessica Kurten took the honours on 'Castle Forbes Libertina'.

Shane Breen