Ireland's show jumpers, obviously intent on showing the senior selectors the error of their ways for deciding not to send a full team to the Olympic Games in Sydney, notched up an impressive hat-trick of wins in Helsinki yesterday, exactly a week after Ireland claimed top honours at the Modena Nations Cup in Italy.

Lieutenant Shane Carey, one of the two Irish Army riders campaigning at the Helsinki fixture, triumphed in the Prix de Textron yesterday, coming off best in a five-way jump-off with Shannondale, which is on loan to the Army Equitation School from Clare owner Michael Walsh.

But Carey wasn't the only Irish rider in the line-up. He was followed home in third by Cameron Hanley, the new stable jockey for the Ballaseyr string, riding Ballaseyr Twilight, with Cian O'Connor slotting into fifth and sixth on Normandy and Waterford Crystal.

O'Connor had earlier won yesterday's young rider speed class with Robin Hood and the Irish hat-trick was completed by Captain Gerry Flynn, who claimed the Prix de KF speed with Diamond Explosion to give Ireland three wins out of a possible four.

The victories come hot on the heels of the Irish win at the Pavarotti show in Modena.

The younger quartet get their chance at Nations Cup honours today when the Helsinki round of the Samsung series gets underway at midday. Cameron Hanley opens the batting for the Irish with Ballaseyr Twilight, followed by Lt Shane Carey (Prophet's Thumb), Cian O'Connor (Waterford Crystal) and Captain Gerry Flynn (Rincoola Abu).