IRELAND stayed in the top three of the FEI Nations' Cup Superleague after finishing equal sixth in the Nations' Cup at Hickstead, England this afternoon (Friday).
In a dramatic competition at the historic five-star venue, three teams - Germany, France and the United States - tied for first position after two rounds on 20 faults apiece, and only after a jump-off did Germany take the winners' trophy, with France in second and the USA in third.
Ireland's only zero score came from Canadian-based Jennifer Crooks and 'SF Uryadi' in the first round, but she followed with four fences down second time out. Tipperary's Denis Lynch maintained Ireland's lowest penalty tally with four faults in each round on 'Nabab's Son', while Billy Twomey and 'Romanov' had an uncharacteristic two-round total of 24 faults.
Pathfinder Shane Breen and the Irish-bred gelding 'Cos I Can' opened with eight faults, but added 12 penalties in the second round.
Afterwards Team Ireland Equestrian's show jumping manager Robert Splaine said: "This was a tough high scoring cup. Unfortunately we didn't capitalise on a satisfactory first round."
Ireland's final tally was 44 faults, equal with the Netherlands, but the points gained meant that they dropped only one place to third in the Superleague ahead of the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show next Friday (August 5), with an accumulated total of 32.50 on the leaderboard. The Netherlands still lead the series on 42 points, with Germany in second on 37 points.
The last leg of the 2011 Superleague takes place in Rotterdam on August 26.
SHOW JUMPING RESULTS: CSIO5* HICKSTEAD ENGLAND JULY 28-31 2011
The FEI Nations Cup of Great Britain
International Jumping Competition
Table A in two Rounds (Art. 264)
1m60
Friday July 29, 2011
1) Germany 20 faults (after jump-off)
2) France 20 faults (after jump-off)
3) United States 20 faults (after jump-off)
4) Great Britain 24 faults
5) Belgium 28 faults
=6) Ireland 44 faults
Shane Breen; Cos I Can (ISH) 8/12
Jennifer Crooks; SF Uryadi 0/16
Billy Twomey; Romanov 8/16
Denis Lynch; Nabab's Son 4/4
=6) Netherlands 44 faults
8) Denmark 69 faults
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| Denis Lynch - eight fault total |