THE Irish Show Jumping team of Richard Howley, Trevor Breen, Alex Duffy and Greg Broderick, finished third in Friday night's three-star Nations Cup in Lisbon, where the home fans witnessed a memorable victory for the hosts Portugal, ahead of their neighbours Spain who finished second.

Taylor Vard’s team were in equal third place at the halfway stage on just four faults. Sligo’s Richard Howley jumped clear with the Morgan Kent-owned Dolores, while Tipperary’s Trevor Breen had one fence down with Escapade H, owned by Gebroeders van Manen.

Mayo’s Alex Duffy was the discard score when picking up eight faults with Gerd KG, who is owned by Michal Kazmierczak. Tipperary’s Greg Broderick produced a perfect clear with the Mary Ellen Du Ruschi-owned Duco, to leave Ireland level at that stage with Britain in third, while Portugal and Spain shared the lead.

The second round was jumped under floodlights and saw both Howley and Broderick complete double clear performances, while Breen repeated his four-fault score to leave Ireland on a final score of eight faults, in outright third of the 11 teams that started.

The home team remained on a zero score to take the win to the delight of the Portuguese fans, while Spain finished as runners-up on four faults.

The winning Portuguese team included the Irish Sport Horse Fernhill Curra Quinn (ISH), bred by Thomas Hannon in Co. Wicklow and ridden by Duarte Seabra (POR).

Ireland are again in Nations Cup action this Sunday evening in the five-star Nations Cup at Langley in Canada.

Five teams have assembled to contest the $400,000 Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup of Canada, where Ireland, as defending champions, will be up against Canada, Mexico, The United States and Israel.

Irish Development team manager Michael Blake will announce his four team members on Saturday from a squad of five that includes Jonathan Corrigan, Daniel Coyle, Jordan Coyle, Cormac Hanley and Conor Swail.

BREEDING

Fernhill Curra Quinn (ISH) – 2007 gelding by Harlequin du Carel (SF) out of Ballyveskil Mist (ISH), by Clover Hill (ID). Breeder: Thomas Hannon, Co. Wicklow. Owner: Carol Gee & Duarte Seabra (POR)

The Irish Show Jumping team is sponsored by Devenish and The Underwriting Exchange

Equiline – Official athlete clothing supplier of Team Ireland Equestrian