Great Britain made it three wins in a row at the Ballindenisk leg of the FEI Nations Cup Eventing as hosts Ireland took the runners-up spot ahead of France ©Tony Parkes/FEI

Great Britain made it three wins in a row at the Ballindenisk leg of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Nations Cup Eventing as hosts Ireland took the runners-up spot ahead of France.

Britain led from the start and kept their advantage despite Oliver Townend and Wills Oakden incurring 20 jumping faults between them.

Ireland and France swapped places after dressage when Matthieu Vanlandeghem incurred 14 jumping penalties on Safran Du Chanois ENE HN.

They were unable to overhaul Britain, however,  for cross country-speed with their only time penalties, just 0.8, coming from Franky Reid-Warrilow.

Their team total of 162.8 points saw them finish clear of Ireland, who ended their home competition with 182.5.

France were third on 184.4 and now jointly head the FEI Nations Cup Eventing leaderboard with Ireland on 170 points.

Oliver Townend helped Great Britain to victory in Ballindenisk
Oliver Townend helped Great Britain to victory in Ballindenisk ©Getty Images

Britain, who could only finish sixth at last month’s season-opening leg in Fontainebleau, are in third place on 155 points.

Germany, the winners in Fontainebleau, are fourth with 100 points, 30 more than fifth-placed Australia.

The FEI Nations Cup Eventing action is set to continue at Houghton Hall in Norfolk from May 26 to 29, when the British will be hoping to regain supremacy on home ground, having lost to Germany last year and New Zealand in 2014.

The nine-leg series will also see competitions held in Belgium, Poland, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands and the United States.