Sweetnam and Babington in Irish squad for Meydan opener
Tipperary native Babington – a member of Ireland’s 2001 European gold-medal winning team – has been selected with Souvenir, the horse he rode on the team that placed joint second in the US nations cup in Florida in February.
Kanturk rider Sweetnam also played an instrumental part that day and travels to France with Amaretto d’Arco.
Also named by team manager Robert Splaine are Cian O’Connor on Complete, Thomas Ryan with Urleven van de Helle and Denis Lynch, who can choose from Abbervail van het Dingeshof, Nabab’s Son, or All Inclusive for the curtain-raiser of the revised series, which will feature 10 teams – up from eight – and concludes at the Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show.
Lynch helped Ireland to third in last week’s Belgian nations cup with a single time fault in each round with Abbervail after Cian O’Connor suffered a surprise elimination and says a similar result in La Baule would be welcome.
“It was good to finish third with three riders.
“Abervaill is my fourth horse and I was delighted with him; it was his first nations cup.
“As for La Baule: Last year, we were second and it is important we get a good start. Top three or four will do, but our first aim is to get into the second round,” said Lynch.
He lines out in the second round of the Global Champions Tour (GCT) in Valencia, Spain, this weekend and is banking on Lantinus to help him do the business. The pairing produced a double clear in the GCT opener at Arezzo, Italy, but four faults in the jump-off saw them finish eighth.
“Lantinus is in great form. I schooled him today and he felt good, so hopefully things will go well,” said the Tipp rider, who lines up against Cian O’Connor and GCT defending champion Jessica Kürten.
Lynch, meanwhile, urged further discussion to ensure the Holmes Report’s proposals on prohibited substances and practices in Irish equestrian sport can achieve their purpose.
In March, an expert group set up by Horse Sport Ireland under the chairmanship of Dr Gordon Holmes published its recommendations, among which was the introduction of a licensing system for riders that will permit inspection of premises and the requirement for riders to keep a log-book for the recording of all substances used on their international horses.
The group came about after Lynch last August became the second Irish show jumper whose horse tested positive for a banned substance at an Olympics.
A meeting took place recently between riders and HSI, at which there were “frank exchanges” and another meeting is expected.
“The log book is a good idea,” says Lynch, “but it should only be between the rider and the Irish team vet. I also have no problem with my premises being inspected but the Holmes proposals must be discussed with the riders, so they are implemented properly and efficiently.
“The most important thing is that Irish show jumping wins back its credibility. I will help in any way I can to achieve a clean sport, but zero tolerance is impossible to deliver. Horses get sick and require treatment, so, there can be no guarantees.”
Lynch made his comments as the sport in his home of Germany faced into a fresh turmoil after rider Marco Kutscher admitted his horse was administered a banned substance during last year’s Olympics.
The International Equestrian Federation and the German Equestrian Federation have launched investigations.
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