Friday's CSIO5* 1.60m Agria Falsterbo Nations Cup at Falsterbo Horse Show in Sweden saw ten teams line up for a battle, with the host nation taking the title after a jump-off against the Germans. After round one, it was the Irish going head-to-head with the Germans – the Swedes hot on their heels – as the eight best teams continued on to the second round, while the French and Norwegian teams did not make the cut.
With these photos, we look back at the action in the first round of Friday's Agria Falsterbo Nations Cup.
All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping.
En route to Paris: Spain's Santiago Varela was responsible for the course design in Falsterbo ahead of his Olympic tasks in a few weeks' time.
Sweden's very own Henrik von Eckermann did not disappoint the home crowds and delivered a clear with Iliana in round one.
Sophie Hinners and Special Life gave Germany the best start, when delivering a clear round.
Giulia Martinengo Marquet and Delta Del'Isle got the Italians off to a great start with a clear in round one.
Full on focus from Norway's Pål Flam and Omonza D C, clear in round one.
Spencer Smith and Keeneland were the pathfinders for the American team, jumping clear.
Taizo Sugitani and Quincy 194 delivered a clear for Japan in the first round.
In round one, the Irish were in flying form, and was sitting on a score of zero moving into round two.
Crowd favorites; Sweden's Wilma Hellström and Cicci BJN.
Mimi Gochman and Cosmos BH in the U.S. colours.
Emma Emmanuelsson and Canbella Blue PS picked up four faults for the Swedes as third in line.
Also 2023 European Champion Steve Guerdat collected four faults for the Swiss, riding Is-Minka.
Jumping clear, Carsten-Otto Nagel and GK Curacao helped the German team to tie for first after round one.
Flying the Irish flag: Conor Swail and Casturano jumped clear in round one.
The 25-year-old Tani Joosten impressed once again, delivering the only clear for the Dutch in round one with Galdal ME.
Daniel Coyle's Incredible linving up to his name.
Aaron Vale and Carissimo 25 jumped clear for Robert Ridland's U.S. squad.
Amanda Landeblad and For Killy enter the ring in Falsterbo
Cian O'Connor and Fancy de Kergane were one of the three Irish clears in the first round, here jumping into the triple combination.
Collecting twenty penalties in total, the French team did not make the cut for the second round.
Fresh from his win in the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen, Andre Thieme chose Paule S for the Agria Falsterbo Nations Cup and jumped double clear.
With three clears, Michael Blake's Irish team was tied on top with Germany after round one.
Then