TIPPERARY show jumper Denis Lynch put himself top of the Global Champions Tour leaderboard on Saturday, when he placed fourth in Monte Carlo.

IRELAND’S hopes of achieving an Olympic qualifying place at the European Championships in Rome were dashed on Saturday when Sally Corscadden, riding Millridge Kalmar, retired four fences from home during the cross-country phase.

IRELAND were lying in ninth place of 14 countries last night following the completion of the dressage phase of the eventing competition at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany.

EVENT rider Michael Ryan has no doubt it is his fiancée Patricia Donegan who will carry the flag for the pair in next week’s World Cup qualifier at the Irish Horse Board Ballindenisk International Horse Trials in Cork.