Dateline: International News

As the Samsung Super League comes to the penultimate round of this 8 nation, 8 round competition, Germany have the lead in hand for the time being, leading with 37.75 points from Great Britain who are sitting in reach on 28.50 points.

The Swiss have had a good season and are sitting comfortably at this stage with 27.75 points with belgium sitting on 24.25 points.

The Netherlands have been having an up and down time, sitting on 22 points and so should be fairly confident of remaining in the Super League competition in 2008.

The USA have not had a dream season this year but have made a valiant fight to sitting just .25 ahead of second bottom team, France who are onb 19.25 points.

Last on the ladder, and fighting off relegation after only just having come back into the Super League is Sweden who replaced Ireland for the 2007 when they were relegated to the Nations Cup series.

And while the fight to avoid relegation in the Super League series is going on, Ireland is leading the Nations Cup sries on 69 points, ahead of Denmark on 60 points. The Irish came into te Super League in its first year after a record breaking series of Nations Cup wins but then struggled in that league, finally being relegated for the 2007 series.

This year they have again proven to be a country of fighters, they have won 4 out of the 8 rounds they have competed in to date and are obviously signalling their desire to return to the Super League competition.

Italy is still within reach as well, sitting on 55 points with Norway a good way behind on 40 points.

This year sees 25 nations competing on the Nations Cup circuit, with countries like Bulgaria, the Ukraine and Finland fielding teams at this level.

Dateline: Ireland

Shane Breen and his crew from England were pleased they made it to Ireland for Dublin Horse Show as foot and mouth raises its ugly head again in UK.

The USA team landed in Ireland earlier than usual for the Dublin Horse Show and the chat int he locker rooms is all about whether the Irish/American romance will end in wedding bells and will they be announcing the engagement at Annabels?!