O’Connor primed for big show as Lynch appeal founders

That was the response of show jumper Cian O’Connor last night after Denis Lynch lost his appeal to be reinstated in the Olympics.

Lynch had taken his fight to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after having his name withdrawn by Horse Sport Ireland (HSI), who installed O’Connor and Blue Loyd in his place. The HSI countered at the hearing on Saturday night that a time limit had been passed. After five hours of deliberation, a three-man CAS panel agreed it did not have jurisdiction to rule on the case.

O’Connor, who was stripped of gold after the 2004 Olympics, last night said he hoped he could make Ireland proud.

“My focus since selection has been on preparing for the Games and not to allow anything to distract me.

“I left Blue Loyd in England when coming back from the nations cup show in Germany, to minimise stress and travel on the horse and I have spent two weeks preparing him,” he said, before emphasising with a determination and emotion in his voice, “and I must say he feels in top form.

“I hope I can deliver a super performance which will do everybody proud. I am up for it now more than ever.”

O’Connor, who left London to compete his horses in Tattersalls ahead of the Dublin Horse Show, returned today in preparation for next Saturday’s opening Olympic qualifier.

Lynch lost his place as one of Ireland’s two show jumpers in the Olympics alongside Billy Twomey. He had appeared before a Horse Sport Ireland/Olympic Council of Ireland Monitoring Group on July 9, after his horse Lantinus was disqualified at the German Nations Cup three days previously.

It was the third time in 12 months for a horse ridden by the Tipperary rider to be disqualified for hypersensitivity to its legs.

Last night, CAS had yet to release its findings in the case, but secretary general Matthieu Reeb said: “I can confirm the application was dismissed over lack of jurisdiction ... and the panel did not examine the case on its merits.”

He pointed out “the dispute had arisen before the period of activity of the CAS ad-hoc division at the Olympic Games and therefore this court does not have jurisdiction”.

Lynch’s brother and manager Shay said the Tipperary rider remained “committed” to Ireland.

“We are disappointed that we did not get the chance to have our case heard. We are awaiting clarification from our lawyers as to exactly why CAS felt they did not have jurisdiction.”

Asked of his brother’s position regarding the Irish team, he replied: “Denis is going to let the dust settle and review everything before he makes any decision. However, he is totally committed to riding for Ireland.”