Two clear rounds from Cian O’Connor proved to be decisive in their success in Ocala as they completed the competition with 12 faults.

The hosts claimed second place with 16 faults while neighbours Canada were third with 24.

After the first round of jumps, Ireland held the lead by four from the US and faults from McLain Ward, on Rothchild, and Lauren Hough, riding Comet, widened the gap further.

A foot in the water from Lillie Keenan and Super Sox also hit the home team hard.

Faults were recorded by the Irish though and it was left to London 2012 Olympics individual bronze medallist O’Connor, onboard Seringat, to put in another clear round to bag the win and avoid a jump-off.

“Sometimes winning becomes a habit and in Ireland we need to get back into the habit,” O’Connor said afterwards.

“Nations Cups are the best because they teach riders to work together and we need to do that to get back to where we belong.

“I only got Seringat in November, he’s a bit difficult to get around the course sometimes, but I was impressed how he jumped that combination today.”

The next leg of the FEI Nations Cup Jumping series is scheduled to take place in the Europe Division One in Lummen, Belgium, between April 26 and 30.