Lennon set to strike gold again with Saudi sponsorship deal
Samir Mirdad yesterday said the deal was with 15 members of the Saudi Arabian royal family and would see the world champion coaching riders and sourcing up to 40 top horses, worth in some cases up to €100,000.
"An advisor for the royal family had a one-hour meeting with Dermott yesterday. This is an exclusive deal, tapping into Dermott's expertise, and will run for the next three years. It will involve Dermott travelling to Saudi Arabia approximately four times a year," said Mr Mirdad.
Meanwhile, Lennon continues to strike gold, courtesy of his sponsors, adding joint victory in the puissance yesterday at the Abu Dhabi international show to a double on Wednesday.
The Banbridge rider is a guest of his new patrons - notably His Royal Highness Prince Sultan Bin Fahad Bin Nasser Bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, computer giant Sun Microsystems, Dutch airline KLM in the Gulf state and gave them every confidence their largesse is well placed with his hat-trick of wins.
Yesterday's high-jump triumph saw the world champion jump 2.1m on I Caesar.
Earlier, Lennon provided a clear round on Impact to see his team finish fourth in the nations cup.
The first four teams finished equal on four faults, but the competition was decided on time.
"It was a one-round competition as most of the horses will jump in the grand prix (today)," said Lennon.
"I'm enjoying myself here, The horses are jumping very good so far."
On Wednesday, he teamed up with Impact to claim his first win, taking a 1.40m jump-off class. From a starting line-up of 44, nine made it through to the jump-off. Over a course that saw a number of fallers, Lennon was masterly, posting a four-second winning margin with the 14-year-old Dutch-bred gelding.
His brace came in the six-bar, with Lennon, riding I Caesar, joined by Princess Haya of Jordan and a rider from Qatar in the fourth round, after six other riders found the going too hot.
The Qatar rider was the first to fall by the wayside, with the fence now standing at 1.85m. After Lennon again showed his credentials, posting another clear it was left to Princess Haya to deny him, but she lowered the last pole to leave Lennon in the clear.
The show culminates in the grand prix today, with Lennon moving to Dubai next week.
Lennon recently secured one of the biggest sponsorship deals in show jumping history, worth in excess of €1.7m over five years with the prospect of further riches. The deal involved the Saudi prince taking a share in the stallion Belfast Knight, which Lennon rates highly.
lIRELAND'S pony show jumpers placed equal fourth in the nations cup at Wierdan, the Netherlands, last week. The team finished on 16 faults, in the nine-team competition. Victors the Netherlands B team scored eight to beat the Netherlands A team by four faults. Belgium/Luxembourg finished third on 13.
Carrying the Irish colours were Heather Purcell (Acapulco, 0/4) Benedict Kuhnle (KEC Archdeacon Clover, 0/8) Sarah Agnew (Tornado Gold, 16/16) and Nicola Fitzgibbon (Miami Bound, 4/0).
In Mumbai, India, the team of Peter Brady, Stephen Currie and Adrian Griffin were third behind India A and Hong Kong in the team event.
Adrian Griffin and Peter Brady also placed 6th and 7th, respectively, in the individual event.
lCOACHES registered with the Equestrian Federation of Ireland can now avail of public liability insurance with the governing body.
With up to €5 million cover on any one claim on the coach's business, the policy is for 12 months starting in January and expiring at the end of December.
The EFI is offering the policy through British Equestrian Insurance Brokers. It provides public and products liability to cover the coach's busi
ness for up to €5 million on any one claim, together with personal accident insurance while coaching worldwide, instructing or giving clinics/seminars (but excludes travelling to and from such activities). The fee for the register is €250 per annum.
EFI Coaching Development Manager Alison Corbally said: "All coaches who have completed the EFI Level 1 Assistant Coach or a coaching course above that level, are eligible to join the register together with those who hold BHS AI or above qualification. All coaches must have a current First Aid Certificate.
Further details can be found on the EFI website www.horsesport.ie. Alison Corbally can be contacted at: 01-8688222, or 01-8683366.
lSALLY ANN LYNCH from Donoughmore, Co Cork celebrated the new year in style last Saturday, when her pony Pillheath Strongbow was lauded as the Champion Starter Stakes Pony of the Year 2003.
At the annual awards dinner of the Irish Pony Society, at the Strand House Hotel, the Curragh, the Cork combination also picked up the Munster Stakes Champion title.
