Lynch out to repair dented pride
The Tipperary rider saw his bid for World Cup glory end on a swift note in Leipzig, Germany, last week, minutes after it had begun, when he slipped from Abbervail van het Dingeshof in Wednesday’s opening round. He made amends by winning Saturday’s three-star grand prix, with Billy Twomey and Romanov placing second, a result that also helped soften the Corkman’s disappointment of withdrawing from the World Cup contest when his chances had faded on Friday.
Both riders return to the GCT this weekend and Lynch is glad of the opportunity to get back on the winning trail.
“My pride was dented a bit by the fall, but that’s the ups and downs of show jumping,” he said yesterday as he prepared to fly to Valencia. “To try and play a role in the World Cup was important to me, especially after wining the last qualifier in Mechelen. That gave me a certain amount of confidence, but to get eliminated on day one was a big blow. You just have to pick yourself up, though. It took me a day to do it and to win the GP was a nice consolation.”
His number one choice, Lantinus, is also back in action, having jumped in an accumulator at Leipzig.
“He felt very good. He was off for a few months after picking up a small injury. On Monday and Tuesday next week I will compete him at the three-star show in Mannheim. Before that, though, I fly back from Valencia on Saturday night for Sunday’s four-star show in Hagen, where I ride All Inclusive in the grand prix.
Meanwhile, Twomey has been named on the squad to contest next week’s Super League nations cup opener in La Baule, France. He brings Je t’Aime Flamenco and Romanov across the Channel, where he will join Shane Carey (Lancero), Cameron Hanley (Southwind VDL), Cian O’Connor (Splendor) and Shane Sweetnam (Amaretto Darco).
- CAPTAIN GEOFF CURRAN and The Jump Jet capitalised on rerouting to Ballindenisk International Horse Trials by winning the three-star class at the Cork venue last Sunday.
The pair were scheduled for Badminton but an injury to the gelding scuppered that, much to Michael Ryan’s regret. The Bandon-based rider was leading in Ballindenisk with Annestown Emperor after dressage, then four-faulted in the show jumping. Last to go in Sunday’s cross-country, he fell foul of the clock, adding 5.6 penalties to lose by 4.1pens to Capt Curran.
Ryan said Annestown’s Emperor’s performance pointed to its European Championship credentials and he was delighted after some “bad luck” for the gelding, who underperformed during the Limerickman’s stint in Barocca d’Alva, Portugal, in March.
Ryan is nothing if not competitive and he also placed third on Ballylynch Skyport, while finishing runner-up to Fraser Duffy (Fernhill Encore) in the two-star class with Dromgurrihy Blue.
The event, meanwhile, saw Ballindenisk take another big step in banishing any lingering doubts as to its suitability for top-class competition, particularly in relation to the going. Considering the unseasonably dry weather, the Fell family put in a supreme effort and succeeded in providing the perfect ground. “The Fells deserve great praise, they really got it right this time,” said Ryan, with HSI chairman Joe Walsh — who presented the prizes — also lauding the family’s achievement.
- A FUN time is guaranteed tomorrow at the Mullingar International Night at the Dogs, particularly as the greyhound card will be interspersed with pony racing, with top riders from the locality in action.
Funds raised on the night will go towards the €20,000 Mullingar International Supporters’ Grand Prix.
The show runs from June 3-6 and includes a food fair, a canine high-jump contest and a kids’ zone. See: www.mullingarequestrian.com.
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