IRELAND took the runner-up spot in the Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain, which was the highlight of Friday afternoon in Hickstead’s International Arena. The five-star class saw eight teams lining up to do battle, with Ireland drawn fourth to jump. Jessica Kürten’s Irish squad comprised of David Simpson on Pjotr Van De Kruishoeve, Lt Michaeli Byrne on MSH Claregalway (ISH), Shane Breen on Scarteen and Conor Swail on Clonterm Obolensky (ISH) and they finished second to the home nation, Great Britain.

In the first round, Simpson picked up eight faults, while Byrne collected four on board the 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare MSH Claregalway (Cornet Obolensky x Lady Acobat by Acobat II), bred by Niall and John Mullins. Breen incurred eight penalties, but Swail balanced that with a perfect clear round with Clonterm Obolensky (Cornet Obolensky x She Has The Lux by Lux Z), the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding bred by Brian Duff, to put Ireland on a first-round tally of 12 and in joint second place at the halfway stage.