Lynch out of the money in Gothenburg
The Tipperary rider had four-faulted with All Star 5 in each of the preceding days’ two competitions and did so again in yesterday’s demanding first round, in which none of the 23 riders completed without error.
Lynch’s return to the Scandinavium Arena for his second round saw him add another eight penalties with the stallion, but it was good enough to move him up six places on the leaderboard.
After two rounds, it was American Beezie Madden, on board Simon, and Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat, with Nino des Buissonnets, who shared pole position. In their third-round head-to-head it was 49-year-old Madden who ensured the Star Spangled Banner rang out for the second year, producing a safe clear, having watched Olympic champion Guerdat speed around, only to lower the last two fences. It is Guerdat’s second year to be runner-up, having fallen to Rich Fellers and the Irish-bred Flexible last year.
At the three-star show in Ebreichsdorf, Austria, Cian O’Connor rode Trebox Acorada to victory in yesterday’s Small Grand Prix, having taken top place in the Big Grand Prix qualifier on Friday with Unique. German-based Wexford 17-year-old Bertram Allen continued his good form, winning a speed class with Zenzation.
In yesterday’s TRM/Horseware Premier Series opener at Louth County Show, Paddy O’Donnell and Harristown Princess produced the only clear in a 10-horse jump-off to take the top prize. Dermott Lennon, riding Vampire, was fastest of the four-faulters, with Alexander Butler and Riverside Ace next best.
Lennon was also the runner-up in Saturday’s opening leg of the TRM/Horseware National Grand Prix League. Riding Hallmark Elite, the Co Down rider had to give way to Waterford’s Tholm Keane, who stopped the clock two-and-a-half seconds faster with Warrenstown You 2.
In the four-star Rolex Three-Day Event in Kentucky, Cork’s Austin O’Connor added four faults in show jumping to wind up a creditable 13th place with Ringwood Mississippi. “I’m delighted with the result and how the horse improved throughout the competition,” he said.
Victory went to New Zealander Andrew Nicholson on Quimbo.
