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Ireland
Fifth In Nations Cup In Athens
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Ireland's
'new breed' of Nations Cup show jumpers put up another creditable
performance in this afternoon's (Friday) Samsung Nations Cup in
Athens to finish fifth overall. Italy, having a good end to the
season after a dismal start, came first, following a jump-off with
Switzerland.
All
four Irish riders were taking part in only their second-ever Nations
Cup event, and competed well against more experienced opponents
in the warm and sunny conditions.
Ireland's
best performance came from David Quigley on Ashdale Futuro, who
would have had a double-clear but for a single time fault first
time around.
Having
jumped a double-clear last week on his Nations Cup debut in Zagreb,
Derry's Ryan Crumley almost kept up his faultless record, but after
a clear first round on Baltimore, the pair had the second fence
down next time out.
Irish
team Chef d'Equippe Lt. Col. Gerry Mullins was upbeat about the
Irish performance afterwards. "They weren't a long way off
the pace here. We got a little bit unlucky in the second round.
Glenn Leddy's horse jumped really well, and he was trying a bit
too hard himself. Overall the guys worked extremely hard. I'm delighted
with them."
With
Ireland's more experienced horses and riders taking a much needed
break after an extremely demanding Samsung Nations Cup Super League
campaign, the Irish newcomers have carried the flag for three out
of the last four Nations Cups, with two fifth placings and last
week's second in Zagreb. "We've ended up with six new guys
with Nations Cup experience", said Lt. Col. Mullins. "It
should augur well for the future."
SHOW
JUMPING RESULTS: CSIO*** Athens 2-5 OCTOBER 2003
NATIONS
CUP OF GREECE
Friday, October 3, 2003
1)
Italy 12 faults (jump-off 0 faults)
2) Switzerland 12 faults (jump-off 4 faults)
=3) Austria 20 faults
=3) Belgium 20 faults
5) Ireland 23 faults
Baltimore; Ryan Crumley 0/4
Gold Fingers: Glenn Leddy 8/10
Mahon Point; Paul O'Shea 22/-
Ashdale Futuro; David Quigley 1/0
6) Greece 24 faults
10
Nations competed
http://www.horsesport.ie
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