SITTING in third place at the halfway mark, Ireland's show jumping team at the four star Portuguese Nations' Cup in Lisbon today (Sunday) slipped marginally to joint fourth of 12 teams after the final round.

Tipperary-born Shane Breen celebrated the third consecutive double clear round of his first three Nations' Cups of 2010, the previous competitions being at Lummen, Belgium (four star) and La Baule, France (five star).

Riding the Irish-bred 'Mullaghdrin Gold Rain' at Lisbon, anchorman Breen added his zero score to Dave Quigley's opening clear with 'Ulot'. Brother Trevor Breen had a single mistake in both rounds with 'Adventure de Kannan', while Shane Sweetnam and 'Zamiro' faulted three times first time out and did not jump in the second round.

Ireland finished on 12 faults, equal with Switzerland and Belgium, while the trophy was won by a talented Netherlands side who recorded just one time fault over two rounds.
 

Shane Breen