IRISH RIDERS MAINTAINED a strong presence at the Nations Cup event at La Baule, France today (Friday), with Robert Splaine winning the Grand Prix pre-qualifier on <Coolcorron Cool Diamond> this morning, and Billy Twomey on his new horse <Luidam> taking fourth in the class.

Later in the day, Cian O'Connor once again impressed on <ABC Land Liebe>, finishing third in the Speed Class with only fractions of a second between him and the leaders.

This evening, Splaine and Twomey compete in the La Baule Grand Prix.

The Nations Cup competition - first in the 2003 Superleague - takes place on Sunday.

SHOW JUMPING RESULTS: CSIO LA BAULE FRANCE 8-11 MAY 2003

Class No. 5a CSI-O
GRAND PRIX de la VILLE de LA BAULE
Table A au chrono.

1) ROBERT SPLAINE (IRL) COOLCORRON COOL DIAMOND Faults 0.00 Time 83.11
2) ROYNE ZETTERMAN (SWE) RICHMOND PARK Faults 0.00 Time 85.43
3) PATRICE DELAVEAU (FRA) FRASCATOR MAIL Faults 0.00 Time 86.54
4) BILLY TWOMEY (IRL) LUIDAM Faults 0.00 Time 87.20

59 starters
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PRIX DU CONSEIL GENERAL DE LOIRE ATLANTIQUE
Bareme C au chrono (Speed)

1) TOSHIKI MASUI (JPN) EQUITO DU HOUSSEL Time 72.13
2) EDOUARD MATHE (FRA) CEZAR DE DIEUDONNE Time 72.73
3) CIAN O'CONNOR (IRL) ABC LAND LIEBE Time 72.78

50 starters

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