Ireland pulled off a surprise team victory in the European Show Jumping Championships in Arnhem today with a fine display to see off the Swedish challenge.
The Irish took the gold medal by 34.04 faults to 35.19 while Olympic champions Germany were down in third with a disappointing 41.75 and Britaintrailed home in a distant ninth place with a score of 70.90.
After a superb season last year Ireland have struggled so far with only a second place in Modena to their name buit they ignored the form book tobetter their previous championship best of bronze in 1979.
Kevin Babington on Carling King, Jessica Kurten-Chesney on Bonita 38, Peter Charles on Traxdata Corrado and Dermott Lennon on Liscalgot weresecond behind Germany - and just ahead of the Swedes - after the speed round.
Babington ammassed 17 faults in the second and final round but Ireland fought back with Kurten-Chesney, Charles and Lennon.
In contrast it was a gloomy day for Britain, although Scott Smith acquitted himself well on his senior championship debut and was unlucky not toqualify for Sunday's individual final. Britain's only qualifier is Di Lampard.
Michael Whitaker, riding in his ninth consecutive championships, found the tracks just beyond Prince of Wales FCS and Mark Armstrong's Elisenotched up a poor score in the final round.
PA