German coach advised rider to resolve his issues with HSI

GERMAN coach Otto Becker yesterday confirmed he had informal talks with Denis Lynch about the Tipperary rider competing for Germany, but he stressed that he strongly advised Lynch to speak to Horse Sport Ireland to resolve his differences.

“He talked to me a couple of weeks ago. He asked if it would be possible [to ride for Germany], I said it is a big decision for him. When he has questions, I said I would help him. I informed my federation,” said Becker.

Asked if he had approached the International Equestrian Federation, he said: “I spoke to John Roche two weeks ago. I asked one question about the FEI and IOC rules [concerning a change of nationality]. I am on a committee with him.”

Lynch has said his first choice is to ride for Ireland, but would not rule out competing for Germany.

Becker, however, counselled Lynch not to make any rash decision.

“I have a really good relationship with Denis, I have known him for a long time. I don’t want to be involved in Denis’s problems with the chef d’equipe [Robert Splaine]. I advised him that he should talk with the Irish federation. I am neutral in this case. This is a major decision for his life. There are consequences for him. I know from a lot of other cases, this decision must be made by him with his family.

“So far, we just speak. If he makes the decision, we will talk officially and he must accept the rules for the German team,” he said, adding there would be no special treatment for Lynch: “The best will be in the team, it is the same for everybody, Ludger [Beerbaum], Meredith [Michaels-Beerbaum], whoever.”