IRELAND got off to a shaky start in the Nations Cup Super League with a joint sixth place at La Baule, France today (Friday).

The Irish team, under Chef d'Equipe Tommy Wade, will be hoping to improve its performance substantially when it moves to Rome on May 28, if it is to maintain its top three placing in the overall league table. With the Olympics looming, it will be essential for Ireland to rack up significant points before six of its main riders decamp to Athens.

Upset of the day was the 37 total faults recorded by veteran Irish rider Peter Charles with <Pershing>, and with only one team clear round from Kevin Babington on <Carling King> there was not enough good news on the scoreboard to allow Ireland to recover lost ground.

Germany won the Super League at La Baule, with France second, and Belgium third.

SHOW JUMPING RESULTS: CSIO5* LA BAULE FRANCE 6-9 MAY 2004

SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE NATIONS CUP: FINAL RESULT
Competition in two rounds
Friday, May 7, 2004

1) GERMANY 4 penalties
2) FRANCE 12 penalties
3) BELGIUM 22 penalties
4) GT. BRITAIN 29
5) UNITED STATES 32

=6) IRELAND 33 penalties
PERSHING; PETER CHARLES 20/17
QUIBELL; JESSICA KURTEN 4.00/8.00
WATERFORD CRYSTAL; CIAN O'CONNOR 9/4
CARLING KING; KEVIN BABINGTON 8/0

=6) NETHERLANDS 33 penalties
8) ITALY 44 penalties

8 teams competed

http://www.horsesport.ie

.