With record British entries at the amateur inter-nations show at Unex Towerlands, the Irish visitors were up against it from the start.
In the small tour nations cup, the GB Three squad of Melissa Brewer on Oakhurst Pie Marks, Toni Mason and Mill Crest, Emma Harrison on Nabucco, and Poppy Rollitt-Mason (Every Little Helps) finished well ahead of their rivals.
By contrast, the big tour Nations Cup went to a jump-off between Ireland A and Britains two teams after all finished the two rounds on eight faults. In the end honours went to the GB B team, thanks to a clear round by Jane Randall and Lola Cruiso. Janes team-mates were Cassie Chapman on Largo II, Rebecca Crouch with Temmie and Surrey-based Amy Samuels riding Jurius.
The Irish contingent did have two winners to cheer during the show. Victoria Forsythe and Indigo K proved too quick for their rivals in the first days small tour two-phase, while Gabriel Corless and Rockstown Randi took a big tour jump-off class.
Dont miss H&Hs full report from this popular show in this Thursdays magazine (3 May, 07)