Ireland Wins Swiss Nations Cup After Jump Off

THE IRISH TEAM of Robert Splaine, Cian O'Connor, Billy Twomey and Kevin Babington were victorious in St. Gallen, Switzerland today (Sunday), winning the Samsung Nations Cup after a breathtaking jump-off with home nation Switzerland.

Both teams finished on a total of 12 Faults, and Ireland's Robert Splaine was sent in to jump against the clock with Swiss star Markus Fuchs. However, the Corkman, riding <Coolcorron Cool Diamond> finished with just two time faults, while Fuchs. riding <Tinka's Boy> lowered two fences, finishing on a total score of eight faults.

This is Ireland's first victory in the current Samsung Nations Cup Super League, and puts them in second place behind France in the Super League Table. Ireland last won the Samsung Nations Cup League in 1999. The Super League was introduced in 2003, and will include Dublin as one of its competition venues, in August.

SHOW JUMPING RESULTS: CSIO ST. GALLEN, SWITZERLAND MAY 29 -JUNE 1 2003
SAMSUNG NATIONS CUP
Sunday June 1, 2003

1) IRELAND 12 Faults + 2 (Jump-Off)
Coolcorron Cool Diamond; Robert Splaine Faults 0.00/4.00/ Jump-Off 2
Faults
Waterford Crystal; Cian O'Connor Faults 5.00/0.00
Luidam; Billy Twomey Faults 0.00/8.00
Carling King; Kevin Babington Faults 0.00/8.00
2) SWITZERLAND 12 faults + 8 (Jump-Off)
3) FRANCE 16 Faults
4) GT. BRITAIN 19 Faults
5) ITALY 21 Faults
6) GERMANY 24 Faults
7) BELGIUM 32 Faults
8) SWEDEN 32 Faults
9) NETHERLANDS 72 Faults

SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE TABLE AFTER ST. GALLEN
FRANCE 27 points
IRELAND 20.5 points
GT. BRITAIN 15 points
GERMANY 13.5 points
SWEDEN 7 Points
BELGIUM 6 points
ITALY 5 points
NETHERLANDS 3.5 points

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