Although they got into the prizes in preliminary events, the Irish duo of Cameron Hanley and Shane Breen had no luck in the hotly contested World Cup qualifier at Helsinki last weekend. Both had one fence down in the first round on their younger horses, Living the Dream and Golden Hawk. However, on the opening day Breen had a speed win with Calido. Cameron had a fourth with Dundee and was seventh in the Grand Prix on Caretina de Joter behind young Martin Fuchs. Fuchs was part of a brilliant one-two in the Cup as he placed second to Olympic champion Steve Guerdat on the great Nino des Buissonnets.

This weekend the Longines series goes to Lyon in France followed by Verona.