IN THE FIRST of the much-heralded 2003 Samsung Nations Cup Super League competitions at La Baule, France today (Saturday), the Irish team of Cian O'Connor, Robert Splaine, Billy Twomey and Peter Charles took equal Fourth Place with Sweden.

After a spectacular three days of jumping at La Baule in the lead-up to the Nations Cup, which resulted in the show's Leading International Rider Award being made to 23 yr-old Cian O'Connor, the Irish team were in second place to France at the half-way mark, with Germany lying Third.

A clear round by veteran rider Robert Splaine helped Ireland finish the first half with a total of just eight faults, and although the Corkman repeated the medicine in the second round, his team-mates were unable to match his precision, and Ireland finished on a total of 20 faults, in equal Fourth position with Sweden, also on 20 faults.

Ireland earn 3.5 Super League points for their place, compared to 10 points won by France for a First.

Only eight teams in the world have qualified for Super League status in 2003, and the team with the lowest points at the end of the season will be relegated to the <ordinary> Samsung Nations Cup League, which is running concurrently to the Super League.

Ireland topped the League in the 2000/2001 season, but qualified for Super League status this year by only the narrowest of margins.

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

FINAL RESULT: SAMSUNG NATIONS CUP SUPER LEAGUE, LA BAULE, FRANCE, MAY
11, 2003

1) FRANCE 4 Faults
2) GERMANY 12 Faults
3) GT. BRITAIN 18 Faults

=4) IRELAND 20 Faults
ROBERT SPLAINE; COOLCORRON COOL DIAMOND Faults 0.00/0.00
CIAN O'CONNOR; WATERFORD CRYSTAL Faults 8.00/4.00
BILLY TWOMEY; LUIDAM Faults 4.00/8.00
PETER CHARLES; CORRADA Faults 4.00/8.00

=4) SWEDEN 20 Faults
6) NETHERLANDS 24 Faults
7) BELGIUM 28 Faults
8) ITALY 49 Faults

SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE CALENDAR 2003
1. La Baule FRA (8-11 May) Sunday 11 May
2. Rome ITA (22-25 May) Friday 23 May
3. St Gallen SUI (29 May–1 June)Sunday 1 June
4. Aachen GER (17-22 June) Friday 20 June
5. Hickstead GBR (23-27 July) Friday 25 July
6. Dublin IRL (6-10 August) Friday 8 August
7. Rotterdam NED (28-31 August) Friday 29 August
8. Barcelona ESP (18-21 September) Sunday 21 September.

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