THE Irish eventing team scored an impressive third place finish in the FEI Nations Cup at Houghton Hall, England, after excellent performances in the show jumping and cross country phases.

Ireland, led by Chef d’Equipe Rodney Powell, had been in fifth place after the opening dressage phase but moved up to third after producing a clear scorecard in Saturday's show jumping phase.

Declan Cullen riding Seavaghan Ash (ISH)(TIH), owned by Becky Cullen, got Ireland off to a perfect start in this morning's final cross country phase after they finished clear inside the time.

Austin O’Connor with Colorado Blue, owned by The Salty Syndicate, also jumped clear adding just 5.6 time penalties, while Michelle Kenny with RLE Aspe, owned by Spencer Goulding, finished with 20 jumping and 12 time penalties.

Last to go for Ireland, Aidan Keogh with Pride of Tredstep (ISH), owned by Patrick Hughes, provided a vital clear jumping round adding just 4.8 time, to leave Ireland on a total of 118.1.

Germany took the winner's trophy with a score of 99.8 with USA second on 109.1. Ireland in third finished just over one point ahead off New Zealand in fourth (119.8), Sweden took fifth, while overnight leaders Britain dropped to sixth place at the finish.

Austin O’Connor was Ireland's highest-placed rider individually, taking ninth place overall with Lucky Contender.

Equiline – Official athlete clothing supplier of Team Ireland Equestrian