Ireland were bidding to win the Wellington Nations Cup for the third year in-a-row on Sunday but were narrowly beaten for the top prize by Britain.

Shane Sweetnam was first in for Ireland with Indra Van De Oude Heihoef, and they got Ireland off to the perfect start with a clear round. Next up was Paul O’Shea and Skara Glen’s Machu Picchu.

They delivered a second clear putting Ireland in a strong position.

Denis Lynch was the discard score in the first round after picking up eight faults with the Rushy Marsh Farm-owned RMF Cadeau De Muze, while Ireland’s anchor rider, Cian O’Connor, finished with five faults aboard Clenur. This left Ireland in fourth place at the halfway stage on five faults.

The second round saw both Sweetnam and O’Shea again deliver clear rounds.

A foot-perfect clear from Lynch meant Ireland would remain on their first round total of five faults without the need for O’Connor to jump. Britain took the winners prize on a total of zero faults ahead of Ireland in second, while Mexico took third place on 10 faults.

Ireland’s focus now moves to their all-important first points-scoring Nations Cup at Samorin in April.

Moloney Magic

Irish riders’ good form at the Winter Equestrian Festival continued with Richie Moloney taking second place in the four-star $205,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix.

Moloney and Carrabis Z were among 12 combinations who jumped clear in the opening round and, drawn last to go against the clock, they crossed the line clear in 43.16 seconds to take the runner-up spot.

Denis Lynch also made it into the jump-off with RMF Echo and they clocked the fastest four fault score in the second round (41.27) to take fifth overall.

American rider Beezie Madden took the winners prize of over $67,000 after jumping clear in 40.49 with Breitling LS, while Moloney collected $41,000 in second ahead of Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) with Cristalline in third.