IRELAND WINS USA NATIONS CUP AT WASHINGTON

Ireland was back on the Nations Cup trail for the 2001/2002 Season with a
convincing win at the Washington International Horse Show tonight (Sunday
October 28), beating hosts USA into second place.

The Samsung Nations Cup Series was won by Ireland in 99/2000, but eluded
them last Season. Only four teams competed at Washington, but the veteran
Irish Nations Cup squad of Kevin Babington, Capt. Gerry Flynn, Cian O'Connor
and Robert Splaine, who bubbled under in individual classes at Washington
all weekend, erupted tonight with a tremendous performance.

Splaine and O'Connor took two of only four double clear rounds jumped in the
whole competition, and clinched a four-fault lead over the host team.

Chef d'Equipe was Lt. Col. Gerry Mullins

RESULT: SAMSUNG NATIONS CUP, WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW, USA
1) IRELAND
CARLING KING; Kevin Babington Faults 0/4
CARRAIG DUBH; Capt. Gerry Flynn Faults 24/4
WATERFORD CRYSTAL; Cian O'Connor Faults 0/0
COOLCORRON COOL DIAMOND; Robert Splaine Faults 0/0
TEAM TOTAL 4
Prize Money $8,750

2) UNITED STATES
TEAM TOTAL 8
Prize Money $7,750

3) MEXICO
TEAM TOTAL 22
Prize Money $6,250

4) CANADA
TEAM TOTAL 45
Prize Money $ $5,250