Britain win in Dublin
Nick Skelton starred as Great Britain's showjumpers won the Dublin round of the FEI Nations Cup.
Last Updated: 05/08/11 8:01pm
Great Britain's showjumpers won the Dublin round of the FEI Nations Cup series thanks to some fine riding by Nick Skelton.
Skelton, having posted a double clear on his potential London 2012 horse Carlo, then recorded another clear in a jump-off against Irish star Billy Toomey.
Skelton's time of 39.98 seconds left Toomey with it all to do on Tinka's Serenade, and he retired after having the second fence down.
Toomey could have won it for the hosts, but he failed to deliver the clear round required, meaning a jump-off was needed to decide the Aga Khan Trophy winners.
Michael Whitaker put the unfortunate events of last weekend behind him and rewarded team manager Rob Hoekstra's loyalty by playing a key role aboard GIG Amai.
Whitaker had four faults and a clear, matching Robert Smith's performance on Talan, while Scott Brash and Intertoy Z had 12 and four.
Will Connell, British Equestrian's world class performance director, said: "There isn't much better in show jumping than winning the Aga Khan.
"It was great to see some of our top riders with horses that will be available in 2012 delivering such stellar performances.
Medal hopes
"It means we can now focus on the European Championships in Madrid in September, and use Rotterdam and Gijon as warm-ups for them.
"In terms of medal hopes, I think the FEI Nations Cups have clearly shown there are at least six teams, if not eight, that could easily medal this year.
"At this point in time, it is absolutely impossible to determine who could win at the Europeans, and it is exactly that scenario which makes the sport so exciting."
It was Britain's first Nations Cup triumph this season, and their first in Dublin since 2008. They now head to the Rotterdam finale later this month just four points behind leaders Holland.
Britain are equal-second with Germany, just half a point above Ireland, but reigning Olympic team champions the United States are facing possible relegation to the second-tier Promotional League alongside Denmark.
