Ireland remain second in Nations Cup League

DESPITE finishing fifth in yesterday’s Swedish Nations Cup in Falsterbo, Ireland held on to their second place in the FEI Nations Cup League.

Denis Lynch and his new partner Lord Luis jumped clear, while Shane Breen and Cos I Can, Nicola FitzGibbon on the appropriately-named big-jumping Puissance, and Cian O’Connor on his borrowed former mount Splendor finished on just four faults apiece to put the team in third place.

Round two saw debutante FitzGibbon go clear, while O’Connor and Breen reprised their first-round performances as Lynch finished on eight for a team total of 16 and fifth place, but just one fence short of second place.

However, since the host nation Sweden — who are not in the league — shared the runner-up spot on 12 faults with France, Ireland picked up league points for fourth place.

Victory went to Germany on eight faults and will be bidding for a double on home turf next Thursday, but will be conscious that Ireland won there last year.