Splaine impressed as Ireland finish joint second in Nations Cup in Florida

FIRST-ROUND clears from Kevin Babington and Shane Sweetnam helped Ireland finish joint second in the USA Nations Cup in Florida on Friday night, just one fault separating them from winners Canada.

Ireland were tied for the lead with Britain at the half-way stage on four faults, with Canada holding third just two faults behind, despite a broken nose band causing a refusal for the stallion Hickstead, the mount of Olympic gold medallist and world number one Eric Lamaze.

However, a double clear from veteran Ian Millar on the appropriately-named In Style and a second round clear for Lamaze gave the Canadians their fourth victory in seven years of the event on 15 faults.