Gone - but not a case of no way back for Lynch

DENIS LYNCH may have withdrawn from the Irish team, but it is not a case of no way back.

He made that clear in this newspaper on Wednesday, when he said: “I have always considered it an honour and privilege to ride for my country and I would not rule out riding for Ireland again in the future.”

For the moment, though, the world number nine rider is out and has informed Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) accordingly.

“I cannot give the same consideration to the team as I have previously. The team must come first, not me, an individual, and if I cannot give the same commitment, there is no point in continuing,” he said in this newspaper.

If he is to return depends purely on how HSI addresses the issue, the ball is in their court and a public response is due, if not today, then possibly tomorrow.

The somewhat mercurial Lynch has found it difficult to work with team manager Robert Splaine for a long time and it is, perhaps, not surprising that his decision came days after HSI opted not to activate a break option in Splaine’s contract, meaning he will remain in charge for a further two years, up to the 2012 Olympic Games.

“I have spoken with Horse Sport Ireland and I don’t think we can achieve anything at the moment. The relationship between myself and Robert has broken down, but manager/athlete situations like these occur in all sports. I have to recognise our relationship is poor and this could definitely affect the team in the future. So I have to question my involvement,” said the 34-year-old.

Splaine said: “It is not my policy to discuss team matters in the media.”

Ultimately, what has caused Lynch to cross the Rubicon is Ireland’s performance at last year’s World Equestrian Games (WEG). This is not sabre rattling by the Tipperary rider; this is about his perception that WEG was a disaster, that there has been no recognition by HSI of this and that, as far as he is concerned, nothing has been learned.

Let's be clear, WEG was more than just a 'disappointment', the common currency at the time to describe the failure to qualify for next year's London Olympics. Ireland went to Kentucky, full of expectation. A medal was, considering the talent available, a real option. Understandably and publicly, the bar was set low by HSI in saying Olympic qualification was the goal.

Accordingly, to not achieve that deserves scrutiny and a HSI report is long-overdue.

Lynch too, however, acknowledges his own performance was well below par and contributed to Ireland finishing a dismal 12th.

As for the prospect of the 34-year-old transferring his allegiance to Germany, he is not ruling this out, but, considering he has lived there for 16 years and has a German wife, it is an understandable option and any lack of patriotism charge is questionable in light of his commitment to the team in the past.

To change nationality is a major step, accompanied as it is by a two-year moratorium on competing for the rider’s new country at European and World Championship level as well as in nations cups, while for the Olympics, at least three years must have passed since the competitor last represented his former country. While the FEI has said there is precedent for the waiting period to be waived, declaring for Germany would be the nuclear option, as far as Lynch is concerned.

For now, though, all rests on the HSI approach. They have a choice and they know that: They can ignore the real issue and come after Lynch under their code of contact for talking to myself; or address the concerns he has raised about WEG. To take the former route would, I believe, be a mistake. Perhaps Lynch did not follow HSI procedure to the letter in talking to the media, but nothing good would be achieved by invoking HSI rules to send a message to other riders. Also, if, ultimately, he does not represent the Irish team this year, any suggestion that HSI not allow him to jump as an Irishman on an individual basis would be churlish in the extreme.

However, even with Ireland’s dearth of horsepower and Lynch’s importance to Ireland — particularly with September’s European Championships the last-gasp saloon in terms of Olympic qualification — nobody is suggesting that HSI get him back at all costs; principles do count and rules matter. But so does their interpretation and application. Regardless of any perceived indiscretions by Lynch, it is incumbent on HSI to address this situation. At least then they could say they tried.

Lynch too has a responsibility, but he was measured in his comments and HSI should respond in kind.