Hecart leads French charge

Britain finished fourth behind France, Belgium and Italy in the first Samsung Nations Cup of the season at La Baule with Michel Hecart leading the way for the home side with the only double clear on Kannan.

The highlight of Britain's performance over a very big and technically difficult course was Tim Stockdale's rounds on the striking grey Traxdata Parcival, a newcomer to this level of competition who jumped superbly.

John Whitaker had two four-fault rounds on Virtual Village Calvaro FCS, while his son Robert, 18, making his Nations Cup debut, incurred 15 and eight fault rounds on Lord Liberty W. It was the first time a father and son have ridden together on a British team.