Ireland's 'new breed' of Nations Cup show jumpers put up another creditable performance in this afternoon's (Friday) Samsung Nations Cup in Athens to finish fifth overall. Italy, having a good end to the season after a dismal start, came first, following a jump-off with Switzerland.

All four Irish riders were taking part in only their second-ever Nations Cup event, and competed well against more experienced opponents in the warm and sunny conditions.

Ireland's best performance came from David Quigley on Ashdale Futuro, who would have had a double-clear but for a single time fault first time around.

Having jumped a double-clear last week on his Nations Cup debut in Zagreb, Derry's Ryan Crumley almost kept up his faultless record, but after a clear first round on Baltimore, the pair had the second fence down next time out.

Irish team Chef d'Equippe Lt. Col. Gerry Mullins was upbeat about the Irish performance afterwards. "They weren't a long way off the pace here. We got a little bit unlucky in the second round. Glenn Leddy's horse jumped really well, and he was trying a bit too hard himself. Overall the guys worked extremely hard. I'm delighted with them."

With Ireland's more experienced horses and riders taking a much needed break after an extremely demanding Samsung Nations Cup Super League campaign, the Irish newcomers have carried the flag for three out of the last four Nations Cups, with two fifth placings and last week's second in Zagreb. "We've ended up with six new guys with Nations Cup experience", said Lt. Col. Mullins. "It should augur well for the future."

SHOW JUMPING RESULTS: CSIO*** Athens 2-5 OCTOBER 2003

NATIONS CUP OF GREECE
Friday, October 3, 2003

1) Italy 12 faults (jump-off 0 faults)
2) Switzerland 12 faults (jump-off 4 faults)
=3) Austria 20 faults
=3) Belgium 20 faults
5) Ireland 23 faults
Baltimore; Ryan Crumley 0/4
Gold Fingers: Glenn Leddy 8/10
Mahon Point; Paul O'Shea 22/-
Ashdale Futuro; David Quigley 1/0
6) Greece 24 faults

10 Nations competed

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