So it was time for the final riders and Wout-Jan van der Schans and Broere VDL Atlantic came out and matched his first round 8 faults with another 8 fault round so that left The Netherlands with a total of 40 which put them out of the race today.

Germany were next out with Heinrich-Hermann Engemann and Aboyeaur W and they followed their four fault first round with another four fault round leaving Germany with a total of 28.

Great Britain and Nick Skelton and the "machine" Arko III who are also on their way to Athens next week - and they pulled out the double clear rounds in fine style leaving Britain with a final score of 16.

The photo left shows why Nick Skelton and Arko III are odds on favourites to take the individual gold in Athens in a couple of weeks - this horse was still "playing" over this big wide oxer which came towards the end of the course when most horses were gettng tired - but not Arko III!!!!!!!!!!

So Britain's final score saw two clears in round two and a four faulter which gave them a final score for both rounds of 16.

France were out next and their last rider was Jean-Marc Nicolas and JPC Modesto Equiform and they and after a faultless first round they dropped one rail in round two which improved their score as they could drop their 8 faulter and finished with a two round score of 12.

USA were next to go with Sheila Burke and Caya and they followed up their first round clear with another one and they looked fabulous doing it - and improved the USA's score by allowing an 8 fault round to be dropped giving them a two round finishing score of 16 which I am sure they were happy with.

Then it was Italy's turn and their 4th line rider was Piergiorgio Bucci and Ability da Lagoa who jumped Italy's only clear round in round one but the wheels

fell off for him in round two when he came through the finish flags with 16 faults after fence 7a fell, a foot in the water at 9 and 11 and 12 tumbled as well - this left Italy with a two round total of 32 which would not have been what they were hoping for in their quest to save themselves from relegation.

And then it was Ireland's turn in the ring - and the pressure on Billy Twomey and Luidam was intense as the crowd willed him to jump clear to win this round of the Super League - now Luidam must have all the scope in the world because he did manage to jump a clear round with at least 50,000 people riding on his back along with Billy - and the place erupted when they came through the finish flags clear of any faults claiming victory for Ireland and taking the Aga Khan Trophy!!!!!!!

The excitement was so intense, even the usually restrained Irish Press Corps couldn't help themselves but to scream and whoop along with the rest of Ireland - it was a spectacular win after their "summer of discontent" and a wonderful win to head to Athens with!

Last team out was Belgium and although they couldn't win Koen Vereecvke and Qualite vd Begijnakker gave it their best shot but finished with 8 faults when the fences 7b and 7c came down.

For the final placings please click here and go to results.

Please check in daily for more photos and reports from Dublin Horse Show 2004.