O"Brien claims third place in Switzerland

CLONBONNY showjumper Capt David O"Brien was recalled to the Irish Nations" Cup set-up late last week and responded with a commendable showing in St Gallen, Switzerland. Last Thursday, Capt O"Brien was aboard the Minister for Defence"s Irish-bred mare "Kiltoom" and finished in a respectable joint-third position in the Two-Phase class when tying on time with the USA"s Christine McCrea. The Athlone native will now be hoping that his performance proves good enough to keep his place in the squad for upcoming Nations" Cup legs in both Holland and Germany. Well known Meath competitor Cian O"Connor, who was infamously stripped of a gold medal at the 2004 Olympic Games, was also part of the Ireland squad in Switzerland. Capt O"Brien, 31, didn"t compete in the team event in St Gallen but has done his chances of remaining involved with the squad no harm at all. David, whose parents are Jim and Mary O"Brien, has now made 13 starts for Ireland in the Nations" Cup and helped his country win a Nations" Cup in Falsterbo in 2001 by jumping a double clear round. The USA were the eventual winners of the third leg of the FEI Meydan Nations" Cup in St Gallen, following up their similar success in Rome the previous week. Ireland finished eight out of ten competing countries in Switzerland and now prop up the Nations" Cup standings with six legs remaining.