Equestrianism: Engemann sees off spirited Irish challenge

Germany extended their Samsung Super League lead when winning the Irish leg of the series in Dublin yesterday - but the Netherlands and Ireland gave them a serious run for their money before Heinrich Engemann jumped Aboyeur to the clear round that Germany needed for victory.

Engemann produced one of the six double clear rounds yesterday, but the British could not manage to achieve one of them. They were languishing in sixth place at half-time after counting four faults from Robert Smith on Marius Claudius, eight each from Michael Whitaker on Portofino and Tim Gredley on Omelli, with John Whitaker having the discard score of 12 faults on Peppermill.

Much better was expected from the team that won the British round of the Super League series at Hickstead two weeks ago.

Some improvement was made in the second round (in which Portofino jumped the only British clear) but it was too late to catch the five nations that were already out of reach, with Germany, the Netherlands and Ireland vying for first place.

Shane Breen, winner of the Eventers Grand Prix at Hickstead, must have jumped his way on to the Irish team for the World Equestrian Games, which begin at Aachen in Germany in eight days, having completed the home quartet's only clear round on World Cruise.