Source:  News Release/Colin McClelland (edited)

IRELAND TAKES SECOND PLACE AT CANADIAN NATIONS CUP

THE Irish show jumping team bounced back with a vengeance Saturday night at the five-star Nations' Cup in Spruce Meadows, Canada, one of the biggest shows in the world.

Tying with Great Britain in second place on nine faults after the first round, the Irish quartet of Shane Sweetnam, Jennifer Crooks, Andrew Bourns and Shane Sweetnam then edged past the British team to take second place with a two point advantage over third placed Netherlands. Germany, leading from the first round, consolidated their position and took the trophy on a 16 fault total. Britain finished fourth on 27 faults.

With nine teams in contention, Ireland jumped sixth, and pathfinder Sweetnam on Amaretto Darco had one fence down in each round, with Jennifer Crooks and SF Uryadi the team's discard score with an nine fault first round and 20 faults in the second.

Andrew Bourns with the Irish Sport Horse Roundthorn Madios collected five faults first time out and improved in the second round with just one fence down and no time faults.

Anchorman Shane Breen and the Irish Sport Horse Cos I Can delivered a superb clear first round, but picked up five faults on his second attempt, to leave Ireland on a total penalty score of 22, well clear of Britain's 27 and with two points in hand over the Netherlands.

After the show, Ireland's Team Manager Robert Splaine said: "This was a good performance over a tough course in a Cup at top league level. We were second to a strong German team who were better on the day. Importantly overall, I am pleased as I know we were really good enough to win here tonight."

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