Babington propels Irish to second in league
Undoubtedly, the star of the competition was Kevin Babington, the US-based Tipperary rider posting the only double clear round of the competition with Carling King.
His superb 2003 European debut, combined with a good performance from Cameron Hanley and Jerome, saw the team under chef d'equipe Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Mullins finish on a score of 24.
The result promotes Ireland to joint second in the league, behind the all-conquering French.
The world champions were in a class of their own again at Rome. With a clinical performance, they crushed those with designs on victory to finish on total of just 17 faults. Their 100% record, following their home ground win in La Baule, puts them at the top of the league on 20 points. Ireland and Germany share second on 10.5, with Britain fourth on 10.
While the French have a clear lead in the league, they did not confirm their superiority at Rome until the second round. At the half-way stage, they were forced to share the lead on 12 faults with Ireland, Britain and Germany.
However, two clear rounds in the second phase for the French was enough to see them cement their league lead, which boasts the top eight teams in the world.
Ireland's first round tally came from Hanley (Jerome), who was unlucky to lower one. Lt Shane Carey and Lismakin concluded with eight, while Conor Swail and Windgates King Koal provided the discard of 12.
Round two saw Mayoman Hanley match Babington with a clear. But Carey and Swail each finished with 12. The total of 24 over a track that saw many refusals, falls and eliminations was just one better than third-placed Britain.
Pennsylvania-based Babington, who commutes to Europe for Nations Cup duty, said the team demonstrated their resourcefulness.
"We are a strong team of riders, but not all of the horses were strong and this was a remarkably technical day's work," he said.
"The course-builder did a fantastic job because everything was on a related distance and, if you didn't stick to your plan or if you didn't stick to it, then it turned into a disaster, Physically and mentally, you have to be in good shape at this level of the sport. It's a step above even normal Nations Cup jumping and you have to be prepared in every way. Carling King was very fresh, but I did my homework before I went into the ring, so it worked out well for us."
Carey, meanwhile, capitalised on his late call-up to take the leading rider award. The Crecora, Co Limerick officer flew to Rome at short notice to replace Lt David O'Brien, whose mount, the stallion Boherdeal Clover, had recently displayed an aversion to water jumps.
Carey opened his account with a win on Thursday with Shannon Dale. Sunday brought him his second win, Killossery carrying him across the line with almost two seconds in hand in an accumulator class.
He also had a fifth place finish with the 14-year-old mare, Shannondale.
Conor Swail had some consolation for his Nations Cup performance when placing fourth in Sunday's grand prix with Windgates King Koal. Hanley was also in the money, placing sixth in the puissance on Man Child.
Babington, a member of the 2001 European Championship-winning team, joins Cian O'Connor and Corkmen Robert Splaine and Billy Twomey in St Gallen this weekend with the next round of the Super League scheduled for Sunday.
O'Connor boosted hopes yesterday when he saw off Swiss aces Markus Fuchs and Willi Melliger in the opening international class. Riding the nine-year-old bay mare ABC Landliebe, O'Connor finished three seconds faster than Fuchs, riding Royal Charmer.
IRELAND finished fourth of six teams at the Saumur Horse Trials in France last weekend. The team was made up of Jane O'Flynn (Kilnadeema Star), Austin O'Connor (Horseware Fabio), Becky George (Wee Hot Toddy) and George Russell (Kool Cavalier).
Victory went to Britain ahead of France and Australia.
The 15th place individual finish by Jane O'Flynn on Kilnadeema Star is a boost ahead of the selection of the team to contest the European Championships in Punchestown later this year. The Kildare rider finished on her dressage score of 62. Next best of the Irish was Becky George in 29th, with Alex Hynds and Egor McGreggor in 34th. British-based Corkman O'Connor was two places further behind.
IN Aach, Germany, Peter Charles placed sixth in the grand prix with Pershing. Jessica Kurten had two minor placings. In a young horse class on Friday, she finished sixth on Laurus. On the same day, she finished ninth on Quibbel, following this on Saturday with a seventh in a speed class.
Marion Hughes was just over a second off the pace to finish fourth with LB Galileo in a jump-off class.
SUNDAY'S Glengoura Gymkhana has been transferred to The Ballyrafter Centre, Lismore. The availability of only one arena means ponies will start at the earlier time of 9.30am, followed by horses. Enquiries: 024/92982.
Enniskillen College qualifiers for the European Championships at Necarne Castle form the feature in the pony arenas at Mallow Gymkhana on Sunday. Rockcliffe Stud 1.20m young rider qualifier and Cork/Kerry Branch 1.10m young riders qualifiers are also sure to garner interest.
HEIKE HOLSTEIN shared first place with French rider Dominique d'Esme in the Intermediare II class at the three-star show in Barzago, Italy, last Sunday. Riding the Hannovarian gelding Welt Adel, the Kildare, rider scored 66.48% in what was her first international outing this season.
Anna Merveldt-Steffens, riding the Westphalian gelding Fosbury 2 placed equal fourth in the Grand Prix Kur (freestyle to music).
Meanwhile, Dressage Ireland has announced that Italian world ranked international rider James Connor has declared for Ireland. Connor, 43, left Dublin to ride and teach, firstly in Denmark and subsequently in Italy, where he has lived for the past 25 years. He has ridden in two World Equestrian Games and one European Championship for Italy.
