Irish Triumph At Spanish Nations Cup

FOLLOWING yesterday's disappointing Super League result for Ireland at Rotterdam, a second Irish show jumping team trounced the opposition this afternoon (Saturday) in Gijon, Spain, to win the Nations Cup by a margin of four points.

Under Chef d'Equipe Lt. Col. Gerry Mullins, the Irish squad of Lt. Shane Carey, Harry Marshall, Capt. Gerry Flynn and Clem McMahon delivered the result riding four Irish-bred horses.

Ireland finished with a total of 16 faults, beating the British team on 20 points into second place, while Belgium was third. A total of ten nations took part, but three of these - Germany, France and Portugal, were unable to make it to the second round today.

The Swiss team, which included the world's current highest-ranked rider, Markus Fuchs, finished fourth on a total of 29 faults.

Lt. Col. Mullins said afterwards: < It was a tough course, and we are delighted to have brought a much-needed win for Ireland. We are especially pleased that we did it entirely on Irish-bred horses.>

SHOW JUMPING RESULTS: CSIO GIJON SPAIN 27 AUGUST-1 SEPTEMBER 2003

Class No. 8 SPANISH NATIONS CUP
Saturday August 30, 2003

1) IRELAND 16 Faults
Killossery: Lt. Shane Carey 4/4
Splendido; Harry Marshall 0/4
Bornacoola; Capt. Gerry Flynn 8/8
Gelvin Clover; Clem McMahon 4/0

2) GT. BRITAIN 20 Faults
3) BELGIUM 24 Faults
4) SWITZERLAND 29 Faults
5) USA 34 Faults
6) ITALY 36 Faults
7) SPAIN 44 Faults

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