Lynch keen to make an early impression
That’s not surprising.
The Tipperary rider cut it close in his bid to be among the finalists in Leipzig, Germany, last April, but he did so in style when winning the last qualifier in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands, Lynch’s first time to claim a World Cup victory in 15 years of trying.
Hopes were boosted, accordingly, that the German-based rider could win Ireland its first World Cup title. However, they were soon shown to be misplaced when he slipped from Abbervail van het Dingeshof on day one of the final when negotiating the treble.
Thus, new season, new plan.
“There are 18 places for European riders in the final, but it is very difficult to qualify. Last year, I did not try in the first half of the season, only doing Geneva and Stuttgart, but, come January, I started cracking on a bit, and thankfully, it eventually paid off.
“This time, I’m going to take it quite serious from early on. I do not want to be chasing points towards the end of the season next year. At the very least, I must make an effort and put my best foot forward. There is no point afterwards in saying I should have done this or I should have done that. So, my goal is to put up some decent points and to get off to a good start and to build on that over the next few weeks,” said Lynch.
“Also, being in the top 10 of the world rankings, means I’m lucky to be able to pick my shows. It makes it easier to plan, not having to depend on wild cards or selection by your federation,” said Lynch, who also referenced the fact that ‘s-Hertogenbosch stages the final, while dismissing the suggestion of extrapolating anything from his win this year at the Dutch venue.
He was his usual stoic self when reminded of his fall in Leipzig.
“It was a silly thing that happened, but I lost my balance and it could happen at any show. Unfortunately, this was at the World Cup finals, but you have got to move on. As a professional, you’re on the road 49 weeks and you have to take the good with the bad. Hopefully, this weekend, it will be all good.”
Ireland is well represented this weekend, with Lynch joined by Billy Twomey and Cian O’Connor, who brings the exciting Carpe Diem and revealed yesterday he is aiming to supplement his team soon with another grand-prix-grade horse.
“Carpe Diem was very good in Gijon, but he was a little spooky in Birmingham last week. He has all the ability, so fingers crossed.
“It is hard to do this level with only one 1.60m horse, but I have a few things in the pipeline and, hopefully, I will find a comrade for him in the near future,” said the Meath-based rider.
A fault-free display saw him place 10th in last night’s two-phase class on the stallion, Goldex, owned by Egyptian Mohammed Talat.
His Millstreet Boomerang winner Everything picked up a single time fault.
“It’s nice to produce horses to the next level and to be here is great. It’s a good opportunity for Everything,” said O’Connor, who has also been selected for the second leg in Helsinki next week by Ireland team manager Robert Splaine.
* ADRIAN HICKEY made it two on the trot when taking the Open class at the Templemartin Hunter Trials. The rider from Halfway in West Cork won the same competition at the spring fixture and, for good measure, he also lifted the Novice Horse Singles last Sunday.
* PETER SMYTH will be aiming to extend his lead in the GAIN/Alltech Autumn Grand Prix League at Kildare International on Sunday.
The Tyrone rider has yet to record a win in the series after three rounds, but has accumulated 18 points, giving him a six-point lead over Eddie Moloney, Gabriel Slattery and Dermott Lennon, who share second place.
* THE four-star event in Pau, France, opened yesterday with Peter Hannigan and First Mate slotting into 14th place. The Tipperary rider and the 13-year-old Cruising gelding scored 58.5 penalties to lie 10.2pens off the pace set by Britain’s Mary King on Apache Sauce.
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