Italy won their second FEI Nations Cup event in as many weeks ©FEI

Italy prevailed for the second time in as many weeks after they won the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Nations Cup Jumping Europe Division One event in St Gallen in Switzerland today.

Last week the Italians won their Nations Cup event in Rome for the first time in 32 years.

In another remarkable moment this afternoon they claimed the Swiss Nations Cup title for the first time since 1959 and did so with only one member of last week’s winning side.

At the end of round one, it seemed France would go on to be victorious after scoring zero.

That gave them an eight-fault advantage over Switzerland in second while Belgium and Italy were close behind in third with nine faults each.

However, the second round saw the French plummet to sixth when adding 25 faults despite a double-clear from anchorman Roger Yves Bost aboard Sangria du Coty.

Belgium added eight, but fault-free runs from Italy's Luca Marziani on Tokyo du Soleil and team-mate Paolo Paini on Ottava Meraviglia kept Italy in contention despite a single pole down from Emilio Bicocchi on Sassicaia Ares. 

Lorenzo de Luca set off, the rider who was the only one of last week’s winning side in action today, and jumped a clear round to hand the victory to the Italians on nine faults.

Lorenzo de Luca sealed victory for Italy ©Getty Images
Lorenzo de Luca sealed victory for Italy ©Getty Images

"We never had two good teams like this before and that was always a problem, but now we are very strong, we have many good riders and horses so I’m not surprised we won again," said de Luca.

"Our Chef d’Equipe, Roberto Arioldi, is doing a great job - he’s always positive, and that helps us a lot."

Switzerland took second on 12 while Germany completed the top three on 13.

France, who came sixth, remain top of the table on 302.5 points after four legs of the Nations Cup.

The Italian team are 32.5 behind in second while Sweden are sitting in third place on 257.5.

Rotterdam in The Netherlands will host the next stage of competition in three weeks time.

Elsewhere today the United States won the third and final leg of the FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2017 North America, Central America and Caribbean League in Langley in Canada.

The American team edged their Canadian rivals by one fault as the US took first on 13 while the hosts were forced to settle for silver on 14.

Ireland completed the top three on 25.