Lennon in upbeat mood following lucrative sponsorship deal
Having recently secured one of the most lucrative sponsorship deals in show jumping history worth more than 1.7m the world champion is, not surprisingly, in upbeat mood. On the negative side, however, a cloud still hangs over the future of his gold medal winning ride Liscalgot. The Touchdown mare suffered a ligament injury last year and recuperation is proving slow.
"It is really unbelievable, what has unfolded up to now. In fact, it scares me to say how much this is worth," said Lennon this week of his sponsorship arrangement with His Royal Highness Prince Sultan Bin Fahad Nasser Bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, computer giant Sun Microsystems, Dutch airline KLM and, amongst others, well-known show jumper Princess Haya of Jordan.
The quietly-spoken rider said the deal had been brokered by a friend, Samir A S Mirdad. "I have known him for a few years. I met him at the Dublin Horse Show and I have since lent him horses for amateur classes. He's an enthusiastic show jumping supporter and a personal advisor to the prince," said Lennon, who travels to Abu Dhabi next week to compete and sign off on the deal, which, according to Mr Mirdad, was "inked" on New Year's eve. Lennon said the sponsorship would "cover every aspect of my operation", but he could not say if the money would be released in specified tranches over the five-year period of the sponsorship deal, or, in a 1.7m lump sum.
"Naturally, I would like to get a substantial amount up front. It would be very easy to spend it unwisely if given to me in small amounts. We have to iron out how the money is released, but I do not honestly know how they see it. They came up with the figure," he said.
Asked what his new patrons will get in return, he said, succinctly: "Me."
Elaborating, he said part of his input would see him coach novice riders.
"There will be a substantial training programme; they want to set up to manage and train riders from the Middle East and elsewhere to try and produce them to a higher level. It will involve quite a substantial amount of time, but I also want to continue to compete at the top level. Hopefully, the riders will come and base themselves with me, rather than me flying out to them."
Lennon also said that, as part of the deal, his highness would take a part share in his horse Belfast Knight, a six-year-old Cavalier-bred stallion rated highly by Lennon.
"I think he's the business. I've had a lot of offers for him. I haven't had one like him for a while," he said.
Mr Mirdad, the Public Sector Manager with Sun Microsystems Middle East and North Africa, said the deal was in fact worth substantially more than the 1.7m originally announced, explaining that the figure was chosen because the prince's lucky number was 17.
He also said that, as a result of the prince's involvement, one of the world's biggest companies was interested in contributing a further substantial amount.
"Dermott Lennon is becoming a brand, as you see with David Beckham. Owners are looking to give him very nice horses as result of the latest announcement, including corporations, who want to give him money to buy horses," said Mr Mirdad, who placed seventh in the European Amateur Show Jumping Championships in 2003.
He also said a company would be set up to handle Lennon's coaching duties. "This business will be a school, handling a maximum of 20 riders a year, including pony riders. But it will only be for serious riders with real potential and not just for riders who can afford to pay for the service," he said, adding a structure would be put in place to streamline Lennon's operation and free up his time.
He outlined four aspects to central to Lennon's involvement in the arrangement:
1. coaching novice riders.
2. the provision of advice on buying suitable horses for the riders.
3. the centrality of his base in terms of access to the top shows in Europe.
4. the fact that, as world champion, his contacts will open door for his proteges to compete at top shows.
Do not cut this par Mr Mirdad also said his father, His Excellency Major General Doctor Abdulaziz Mirdad, the deputy surgeon general in Saudi Arabia and a graduate of the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, was crucial in setting up the deal. "My father lived in Ireland for 10 years and loves the Irish people," he said. As for Belfast Knight, he said: "He is an exceptional horse and has the potential to compete at the 2008 Olympics. He's a natural talent and one to keep an eye on. We showed him to his highness, who wanted to buy him, but Dermott would not sell, so, we agreed partial ownership."
Mr Mirdad also said they planned to formalise announce the sponsorship deal at a ceremony in Ireland in February. "We would hope to invite dignitaries, the top owners and, of course, his highness will come.
"One of reasons we are doing this is because we are supporting Ireland. Up to now, all the money has been in Europe, not in Ireland. This is the first real recognition for Irish riders, who are the best in the world. This has nothing to do with Dermott being world champion. He is a very good human being and personality and I am really happy for him and Irish riders, " he said.
Mr Mirdad also said Lennon's visit to the the Middle East in the next two weeks was "massive news" locally. The Co Down man will compete Impact and I Caesar, with whom he has had some success recently.
Mr Mirdad also said Marion Hughes, Miguel Bravo and Mervyn Clarke will be at the shows in Abu Dhabi (Jan 7-9) and Dubai (Jan 13-16).
Meanwhile, Lennon confirmed the future of the world championship-winning mare Liscalgot was in doubt, but he would try hard to get her back competing.
He said that, in the next fortnight, the Touchdown mare would return to the Netherlands from a veterinary clinic in London.
