Ireland's Jessica Kurten nabbed some valuable prize money as well as a few useful world ranking points by taking 3rd place in the Nordrhein Westfallen campetition at this afternoon's (Thursday) five-star meeting in Aachen, Germany.

The Irish rider was one of only six first time clear rounds from the high-class field of 41 starters. Riding Castle Forbes Maike, she got through the jump-off with four faults in a time of 40.56, and slotted into third behind the only two jump-off clears, Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil and Ludger Beerbaum of Germany.

The result adds to yesterday's win by Cian O'Connor in a speed class on ABC Landliebe, and shows the Irish squad in determined mood ahead of tommorrow afternoon's crucial Samsung Super League Nations' Cup event.

Ireland desperately need to finish high in the placings tommorrow, as they are currently languishing near the bottom of the eight-team Super League table, having failed to sparkle in the opening four rounds of the premier Nations' Cup series.

The series will them move on to Hickstead later this month, before the RDS hosts the penultimate round at the Dublin Horse Show in August.

SHOW JUMPING RESULT - CSIO***** AACHEN, GERMANY

Nordrhein Westfallen Prize
International Jumping Competition with Jump-off
Thursday, July 15th 2004

1) Baloubet Du Roulet; Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) Faults 0/0 Time 38.14
2) Gladdys S; Ludger Beerbaum (GER) Faults 0/0 Time 38.47
3) Castle Forbes Maike; Jessica Kurten (IRL) Faults 0/4 Time 40.56

41 starters

http://www.horsesport.ie

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