AS WELL as Nations Cup action in Sopot, there was an Irish team in action at the three-star Longines EEF Nations Cup in Drammen, Norway, where they finished runners-up on the podium.

A very tight contest saw Ireland among five teams who shared the lead on a zero score following the first round. Irish chef d’equipe Taylor Vard saw three clear rounds from his opening three riders, with Tipperary’s Thomas Ryan (Springfield 21), Cork’s Jeremy Sweetnam (Brown Star Z) and Wexford’s Harry Allen (Over Lux (ISH), all jumping clear.

Combinations

That meant Ireland’s last combination, Waterford’s Comdt. Geoff Curran with Glengarra Wood (ISH), didn’t need to jump in the first round.

Ryan and Sweetnam completed double clear rounds second time out before Allen came home with four faults picked up at the water.

Last line riders

As the competition came down to the last line riders, Ireland, Brazil and Belgium were the three teams that could finish on a zero score.

Brazil were to finish on a final score of one time fault, and when Curran picked up four faults near the end of his round, and the final Belgian rider also finished on the same score, Brazil emerged as winners.

Ireland took second place as the fastest of the three teams who finished on four faults, while third place went to Belgium.