Irish strength in depth underlined by near miss

IRELAND’S showjumping strength in depth was evident last weekend in Florida when a team riding borrowed horses was pipped by America’s top riders in a nations cup.

Kevin Babington riding his own Carling King Cian O'Connor, Lt David O'Brien and Darragh Kerins matched the home team in jumping terms, but fell foul of the clock, losing by a single time fault.

The Wellington Nations Cup cannot be considered one of the most important nations cups on the international circuit, attracting only Canada apart from the home team, and Ireland.