AS the Olympic Committee of Ireland launches an investigation into the management of Irish Olympic equestrianism, Horse Sport Ireland has laid the blame for Thursday’s failed horse doping incident solely on the rider’s shoulders.

Irish rider Denis Lynch has protested his innocence as his hopes of winning an Olympic medal were ended tonight after being forced to withdraw from the individual showjumping final when his horse Lantinus tested positive for a banned substance.

Ireland’s team of Patricia Ryan, Niall Griffin, Geoffrey Curran, Louise Lyons and Austin O’Connor finished eighth with 276.10 points after the showjumping phase of the equestrian competition in Hong Kong today.

If first impressions count, the Hong Kong Jockey Club is off to a good start as far as Olympic event rider Captain Geoff Curran is concerned.

MARIE BURKE, riding Chippison, proved an able replacement for Cian O’Connor yesterday when best of the Irish on the opening day of show jumping at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany.

THIRTY-NINE of the 50 Irish Olympians arrived home yesterday, but five hundred pair of eyes were only on one man.