ON a day of high drama in Abu Dhabi, Germany pipped Ireland to win the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup of the United Arab Emirates while the hosts and Saudi Arabia claimed the two qualifying spots on offer for the 2019 series final in Barcelona next October.

Ireland got off to the perfect start when Tipperary’s Trevor Breen jumped a brilliant clear round with Karen Swann’s 10-year-old gelding Escapade H on his debut at this level. David Simpson ran into trouble at the open water fence and was later eliminated for two refusals with Charlotte Platt’s Jenson, but would later redeem himself.