Lynch adamant Ireland can avoid relegation
Anchorman at the fourth leg in Rotterdam last weekend, the Tipperary rider ended with eight faults on Nabab’s Son when a clear would have provided victory.
Stoic as he generally is, failure, nevertheless, is not something that rests easy with Lynch.
“I was disgusted. That was Nabab’s worst result. There are four riders on a team and all have to deliver at that level and I didn’t,” he said in a candid assessment from Monaco, where he competes in the fifth leg of the Global Champions Tour alongside Jessica Kürten.
Ireland ultimately finished fifth at the Dutch venue, a result that leaves them second last on the league table on 7.5pts. While still in relegation territory, Lynch says morale is high.
“There’s a great atmosphere in the camp. We have just been very unlucky. Definitely, though, we can turn it around,” he said.
Certainly, fortune has not favoured manager Robert Splaine’s teams, with Rotterdam a continuation of this season’s Irish theme: In the ascendancy in round one, downward spiral in round two.
Lynch has been selected again for next week’s German nations cup at Aachen with Lantinus.
“Maintaining our place in the Meydan Series must be our first priority. Achieve that, then we can focus on the Europeans in August,” said the German-based rider.
Monaco, meanwhile, is foremost in his mind this weekend and, while he tops the GCT leaderboard, that is merely a bonus that reflects his bid for consistency.
“I’m in a good position, in that I have qualified for the final in Doha. That was my main goal from day one: to qualify early, as I am also committed to the team, but, I suppose, to be leading is a reflection that I’m doing something right.
“I am lucky to have a few very good horses, but they have to stay sound. I myself have had trouble with my back, but it’s getting better and I realise that the most important thing is health and soundness, then focus on the results.
“Lantinus is coming back to top form as he showed in Cannes. All Inclusive is also coming through and slowly we are becoming a partnership. If I’m under pressure, I’m not aware of it. I’ll just keep trying my best.”
Joining Lynch in Aachen will be Cameron Hanley (Southwind VDL or SIEC Livello), along with Cian O’Connor (Rancorrado) and Billy Twomey (Je t’Aime Flamenco).
This leaves no room for Jessica Kürten, who, with Quibell, was the only rider to go double clear in the entire competition at Rotterdam.
In a statement issued by Horse Sport Ireland, Splaine said that, while the Antrim woman was outstanding in what was her first team appearance this season, plans for Aachen had been made weeks ago and the final entries had to be made before Rotterdam took place.
“Jessica has indicated that she will be available should anything go wrong with any of the selected combinations between now and the show,” he said.
He said he was conscious that an improvement is needed.
“Overall, while our results have been disappointing, there have been some very good individual performances and morale is very good. I am hopeful that it will come together in the remaining four rounds and that we can lift ourselves out of the relegation zone.
The series sees Ireland on 7.5pts, with Italy last on four. Looking up, Sweden and Britain are on 10.
Meanwhile, Billy Twomey, Shane Breen and David Simpson are joined by eight compatriots at Hickstead this weekend, with Sunday’s famous Derby the highlight.
* HUGE entries characterised the showing classes at the newly-relocated Cork Summer Show in Ballincollig last weekend.
Rosemary Connor’s Woodfield Indo won the Champion Ridden Hunter title, while the Champion Broodmare accolade went to Peter O’Donovan’s Silver Fox.
Seamus Lehane’s Watervalley Galway Girl won the Hermitage Cup for two-year-old fillies, while Declan Fahey’s Ricardo Z offspring earned him the Fitzpatrick Cup for champion young hunter horse. The Hillyard Cup for best three-year-old gelding was claimed by Michael Lyons’s Kilmastulla Mo Chara.
The hunt chase ensured exciting competition, with victory going to Fingal Harriers’ Val Ward, Aine Ryan, Jamie Caul and Brian Cassidy. Second were the Araglen team of Liam Russell, Mickey Slattery, Tina Burke and Sean Moher.
Eight teams from the league will go forward to the Equestrian Direct Hunt Chase competition in the RDS main arena at this year’s Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show.
While the sunshine contributed greatly to the show’s feelgood factor, any assessment must be favourable and, hopefully, it will go from strength to strength.
* GERMAN equestrian sport was further mired in controversy this week, with the news that a horse ridden by dressage superstar Isabell Werth had tested positive for the banned substance fluphenazine.
The five-times Olympic gold medallist was suspended immediately, after the anti-psychotic substance – generally prescribed for humans – was discovered in Whisper at a show in Wiesbaden, Germany.
Werth’s suspension means she will miss out on Aachen.
On her website, she said Whisper suffered from a nervous condition – shivering syndrome – and had been treated with Modecate following consultation with her vet. She said she was informed it would dissipate within six days, but traces were found after two weeks.
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