RELAND'S pony riders today (Friday) notched up a third consecutive Nations' Cup victory when fighting back from a third place in the first round at Hagen in Germany  to take the trophy with three clear rounds.

Sitting on a total of 12 faults in the first round and lagging behind Britain and France, the Irish returned for their second outing this afternoon with a trio of faultless rounds from Max O'Reilly Hyland and Rock Dee Jay, Michael Duffy with Kadia Mouche and Eoin McMahon on Carmel King's Irish-bred gelding 'Another Destiny'.

Emma O'Dwyer, who had produced a zero score in the first round on Joanne O’Dwyer's Irish-bred gelding 'Jacknell Street', did not have to jump in the second round to ensure Ireland's victory in the nine-nation contest.

Afterwards Irish Chef d'Equipe Tom Slattery said: "I'm absolutely delighted with the kids today. They rode a super second round to take yet another Nations' Cup trophy for Ireland. This year they've already won the Nations' Cup at Fontainebleau in France, and just two weeks ago the Dutch Nations' Cup at Wierden. Three in a row is a terrific achievement."

The winning Irish Nations' Cup pony team at Hagen, Germany today with Chef d'Equipe Tom Slattery