Paul Beecher yesterday claimed the famous Hickstead Derby for only the 13th time for Ireland in its 52-year history.

IT was a case of mixed emotions for the Irish last weekend at the Samsung Super League Nations Cup Show in La Baule, France, where early domination disipated on the final day in the wake of a supreme performance by the host team.

THE decision not to send a showjumping team to the cash-rich Spruce Meadows show in Calgary next week was based on the desire to do well at the World Equestrian Games, according to Peter Charles.

IRELAND’S Peter Charles survived a dramatic moment at Hickstead when his hat slipped over his face and he jumped blindfold down the Derby Bank - but still managed to go clear and repeat his 2001 victory in the Bunn Leisure British Jumping Derby with Corrada.

CIAN O'CONNOR produced a performance of courage at Hickstead yesterday as he secured the competition's sole double-clear to take Ireland within a whisker of landing a hat trick in the Samsung Nations Cup.