IRISH RIDERS started the big Nations Cup show in Rome with a bang today (Thursday), picking up a Second and a First in the opening classes.

Conor Swail took Second in this morning's Table A Against the Clock, riding <Windgates Mystique>, while after lunch Lt. Shane Carey won the Alitalia Table A prize on <Shannon Dale>.

Carey, who was a last-minute replacement on the Irish team when his fellow-officer Lt. David O'Brien pulled out, shaved half a second off former World Champion Rodrigo Pessoa's time to clinch the class for Ireland.

The second of the new season's Samsung Nations Cup Super League competitions takes place on Friday.

SHOW JUMPING RESULTS: CSIO ROME ITALY 21-24 MAY 2003

Class n. 1 Int. H. 1.40 Competition Against the clock (238.2 1)
Thursday May 22, 2003

1) CHIMIRRI Vincenzo (ITA) ASKOLL Q´LEOS FAIRE Faults 0 Time 52.27
2) SWAIL Conor (IRL) WINDGATES MYSTIQUE Faults 0 Time 53.43
3) GRETZER Maria (SWE) RICARDA T Faults 0 Time 55.98

8) HANLEY Cameron (IRL) RODRIGO III Faults 0 Time 57.73

64 starters
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Class n. 2 ALITALIA PRIZE
Int. H. 1.45 Mixed Competition (238.2 2)
Thursday May 22, 2003

1) CAREY Lt. Shane (IRL) SHANNON DALE Faults 0/0 Time 40.34
2) PESSOA Rodrigo (BRA) GANDINI BIANCA D´AMAURY Faults 0/0 Time 40.64
3) ARIOLDI Roberto (ITA) LORO PIANA LE MATO Faults 0/0 Time 41.12

55 starters

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