Manager defends Lynch after FEI report made public
The disqualification last Friday week in Aachen, Germany, precipitated the withdrawal by Horse Sport Ireland of Lynch’s nomination from the Olympics, it being a third time for a horse belonging to the rider to be disqualified for hypersensitivity in 12 months.
Lynch had claimed that, in relation to Lantinus’s disqualification, “at no stage was there any inference from the FEI veterinary commission that the sensitivity was anything other than naturally occurring”.
However, while the FEI vets report from Aachen did not contradict outright his statement, it did not support his claim, stating that the “precise cause of the sensitivity on the hind limbs could not be established.”
Lantinus was disqualified the day after he had featured on the Irish team that placed third in the nations cup, but Lynch was not sanctioned and Shay pointed to the fact his brother was allowed to continue competing in Aachen as vindication of his position that he had done nothing wrong.
“If there was any suggestion of foul play, the Irish result [in the nations cup] would not have stood. Lantinus would have faced further sanction and Denis, at a minimum, would not have been allowed to compete for the remainder of the events in Aachen,” said Shay, who acts as the rider’s manager. “If the vets felt anything other than that the hypersensitivity was naturally occurring, Denis would not have been allowed to compete.”
He also said he had “no problem” with the vets’ findings being made public.
The Aachen report, nevertheless, highlighted a number of issues. It says the president of the veterinary commission, Willi Hanbuecken was called during Thursday’s nations cup after it was noted that Lantinus was jumping “abnormally” and “that great difficulty had occurred” when stewards had tried to remove protective boots on Lantinus’s hind legs.
Mr Hanbuecken observed there was a “degree of sensitivity in the limbs“, but of “greater issue” at the time was that a chain used on the bridle was “very tight, causing undue pressure, pain and swelling to the jaw”.
Lynch was told this was not acceptable, and that the horse would not be allowed to be ridden again with the same bridle.
A small wound on Lantinus’s left forelimb that had been declared was found not to be “unduly reactive” and the sensitivity of the hind limbs was “within normal limits”.
The following day, however, the situation had changed. The horse, examined in the company of Ireland manager Robert Splaine and team vet Marcus Swail, was found “to be very sensitive to palpatation on the left fore limb and both hind limbs”. The report noted the sensitivity on the hind limbs was “characterised by pain and areas of hair loss”.
In response, Shay countered that it was “the third time he’s [Denis] used that bridle and it has been fine for the previous two shows”.
Explaining the loss of hair on Lantinus’s leg, he said: “It was raining in Aachen and was a result of the boots rubbing against the leg.”
He also said they were still considering an appeal against the withdrawal of Denis’s Olympic nomination, his legal representatives having sought further information from HSI last Friday.
Lynch’s difficulties did not affect his riding at the weekend, his eighth place with All Star in Estoril, Portugal, elevating him to second in the Global Champions Tour leaderboard.
Meanwhile, Corkman Billy Twomey, who was originally selected for the Olympics with Lynch, but now will be joined by Cian O’Connor, yesterday said he was concentrating on his own preparations.
“I’m focussed on my situation and I’m delighted to be representing my country in the Games and hopefully I can make everyone proud and give them all something to shout about. I don’t know all of the facts on the matter, but it is a matter for Denis and HSI to sort out. Really I have just got to think of what I’m doing,” the Nottinghamshire-based rider said on on RedFM’s Big Red Bench on Sunday.
In Falsterbo, Sweden, Capt David O’Brien piloted Mo Chroi to second place in a tough derby with one of only two double clears. Dermott Lennon and Loughview Lou Lou placed third and the combination proved best of the Irish in yesterday’s grand prix, finishing 11th.
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