Ireland's luck went missing yesterday at Hickstead when Germany won the Samsung Nations Cup by 1.24 seconds.

The result was desperately unlucky on the defending champions who were hoping to secure their third successive triumph in the competition.

They tied with the Germans on 16 points at the Golden Jubilee Royal International Horse Show event, but were beaten into second because the German riders completed the course in a quicker time.

Olympic gold medallist Ludger Beerbaum sealed victory in the final ride of the day.

Beerbaum, who was fortunate not to lose his stirrup when he went clear in the first round, said: "In the end we have been a bit luckier than the Irish. We were not that good in the second round and we only just won."

The veteran rider also said the Sussex course, which featured 12 jumps, was tough.

He said: "It was difficult out there and there were more fouls than I was expecting."

While Beerbaum, Lars Nieberg, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Toni Hassmann celebrated Germany's first victory in the competition since 1999 and a first prize of £11,000 to share, the Irish were suitably dejected.

Particularly Cian O,Connor, who rode two clear rounds on Waterford Crystal to become the top jockey in the Nations Cup Series and still finished a runner-up.

Ireland's first rider Peter Charles, riding Corrada just as he did when winning last year, clipped the final jump on both circuits when he threatened to go clear.

Great Britain were beaten into third by Holland who edged out the home side by 4.57 seconds after tieing on 20 points.

France finished in fifth, Brazil sixth and Belgium last after they defaulted following the first round.

The Brits did well to even contest third spot after going into the final round 16 points behind the leaders following disappointing rides from Scott Smith on Cabri D,Elle and Mark Armstrong on Elise.

However, cheered on by a large crowd, the British riders improved their scores dramatically on the second attempt.

Di Lampard, on Abbervail Dream, and Tim Stockdale, on Fresh Direct Parcival, went clear, along with Armstrong as the home side did not accumulate any more faults.

Earlier, Robert Splaine did at least give the Irish contingent something to cheer about.

Riding Diamond Cliff, the Irishman won £1,000 by clinching the Coyle Hamilton Chase in a time of 74.51 seconds, comfortably ahead of France's Reynald Angot (76.70 seconds) and Brazilian Andre Johannpeter third (76.77 seconds).

The highest-placed home finisher was Damian Charles in sixth on Lancelot with a time of 80.43 seconds.