Lennon sets gold standard with imperious Spanish success
He is unique in Irish terms, achieving what no other has managed since the games’ inception in 1953. Eddie Macken came closest, finishing second in 1974 and 1978, while Commandant Gerry Mullins was fourth in 1982.
Four days after his historic win, the 33-year-old Lennon, from near Banbridge in Co Down, says his achievement is just beginning to register.
“It is starting to sink in. I do not know what the spins offs will be yet, but I certainly am getting a lot of attention from the press and TV,” he said yesterday after an interview with BBC Northern Ireland.
The quietly-spoken Lennon achieved world dominance in a unique competition that saw a field of over 90 riders whittled down to four. In a nail-biting finale, each had to compete on their rivals’ mounts.
The unflappable Lennon revelled in it, outriding 1990 champion, Frenchman Eric Navet, American Peter Wylde and Sweden’s Helena Lundback. Liscalgot also played her part, the mare finishing worst of the four horses as Lennon’s counterparts struggled to come to terms with her sensitive nature.
While a long time coming for Ireland, the genesis for Lennon came at last year’s European Championships in Arnhem, where he is based. Lennon was crucial in helping Ireland to European team gold, but failed to make it onto the podium in the individual contest: “After Arnhem, I was delighted with the team medal, but I was very disappointed not to win an individual medal.
But the experience gained at Arnhem made all the difference last week.”
His victory in the Dortmund round of the World Cup last year convinced him to target the World Games. “After winning in Dortmund, I said I was going to focus on making the last four in the World Equestrian Games. So, the pressure was off on Sunday as I had achieved what I set out to do. On the day, I looked at videos of the other riders. Then I just took it as came. As Peter (Charles) and Tommy (Wade, the chef d’equipe) said: ‘It’s just another day’s work’.”
But what are the tangible benefits?
“Besides the fact it is a dream come true, in showjumping terms it means I can go wherever I want,” he said. “It has always been a struggle to get into the top shows. Normally, Ireland would get one place in each World Cup qualifier. But now I get an automatic place, opening up a place for another Irish rider. So it’s good for Irish showjumping. Also, automatic qualification means I can make better plans for my horses.”
The win also affords him the opportunity to expand his operation. “Hopefully, I will get some new owners. I saved my horses for the championship and lost out. It’s been a very expensive year and to compete against the Ludger Beerbaums of this world, I have to get more top quality horses.”
He agrees he has made unbelievable progress since his first foray into international showjumping in 1999, but he remains ambitious: “I am still hungry to make a name for myself,” he says, somewhat naively, “it all depends on getting the horsepower.”
In that regard, he realises how lucky he is to be able to have saddled Liscalgot last week. The 11-year-old Touchdown offspring was a hot commodity since her European exploits and owners Terence and Mary Harvey were finding it hard to resist the massive offers she was generating. Fortunately, Woods Rosbotham, Sam Thompson and James Acheson proved white knights, the syndicate of Northern businessmen purchasing Liscalgot in March for a figure speculated to be close to 2 million. The rest is history, but Lennon feels he has yet to fully repay his patrons. “There is still more to do. Liscalgot is going to get a break now. But I hope we have a lot more to offer.”
Now qualified for the Athens Olympics, he wants to see the team do likewise. Kevin Babington and Peter Charles finished eighth and 10th respectively last week.
KERRYGOLD League runner-up Conor Swail is to reject an offer by the SJAI of the equivalent of the winner’s purse.
The SJAI national executive decided on the offer of a “financial reward” at a meeting on Tuesday to diffuse a situation that saw the Co Down rider lodge a formal complaint that he lost the title when the North Wexford Show was added late to the league schedule. Swail claims he went to Spain on nations cup duty believing his league lead was unassailable. A late surge by Francis Connors, including coming second at North Wexford, saw him overtake Swail.
In a statement yesterday, the SJAI said: “Conor Swail would be offered financial reward similar to that given to the league winner, by way of compensation for the misunderstanding that had arisen over the North Wexford Show. That offer has now been made to him in writing.”
But yesterday, Swail said he would reject the olive branch: “I received notification of the offer last night (Wednesday) and, having had a night to think about it, I am not going to accept it.
“They still haven’t answered my questions. I am considering my options and may get legal advice. By giving me equal money, they are possibly admitting they made an error.
“Am I to lose out because of their incompetence?”
The SJAI, in explaining their decision, said North Wexford should retain its league status: “As this decision did not change the points awarded to riders who competed, Francis Connors remains the Kerrygold Grand Prix League Champion.
“The SJAI executive regrets that controversy of this nature has arisen over the Grand Prix League, but a most unusual year of adverse weather conditions led to the cancellation of some Grand Prix, and of these, some were rescheduled at short notice.”
Asked if he could not view the SJAI offer as one of goodwill, Swail countered: “Why are they offering me a goodwill gesture? I do not deserve goodwill. I just want them to be fair.”
But the question is, how can the SJAI be “fair” in Swail’s eyes without penalising Connors? If Swail opted for a change of heart and accepted the SJAI offer, he could be seen as conceding he did not have a strong case.
He could, however, take the money, donate it to a good cause, and argue he is champion (joint or otherwise) in everything but name. It would be a magnanimous gesture on his part.
Meanwhile, the SJAI executive “has decided a special contingency plan will be drawn up before next year’s Grand Prix league, so further disruptions caused by either exceptional weather conditions or disease, can be dealt with in a more structured way, to maintain goodwill with show organisers, competing riders, and sponsors”.
