Olympics phoney war comes to an end

The phoney war in terms of which show jumper will represent Ireland at the Olympics came to an end last weekend in dramatic fashion with the first emphatic salvos fired by Denis Lynch and Cian O’Connor.

The former finished fifth in the World Cup final in Gothenburg, Sweden, but was unique with All Star 5 in being the only combination to produce five clear rounds over the three days of competition. This earned him a deserved standing ovation from the appreciative audience at the Scandinavium Arena.

O’Connor received plaudits and €200,000 when he rode Good Luck to second place in the Million Dollar Grand Prix in Ocala, Florida. The Meath-based rider produced one of just three double clears over a course built by Tipperary man Alan Wade. For good measure, O’Connor’s student Lillie Keenan place third on Super Sox, a horse he had previously campaigned.