09.08.2010 : RTE.ie

Twomey third, Lynch sixth in Dublin GP

With a total of E200,000 on offer in prize money the competition
was fierce for the top places in the Longines Grand Prix, the final international class of the Failte Ireland Dublin Horse Show.

And two Irish riders, Billy Twomey and Denis Lynch, claimed a sizable share of the spoils with a third and sixth place respectively.

The top prize of E66,500 went to the USA's McLain Ward and the much-fancied grey gelding 'Antares F', who recorded one of just six double clears in the 40-strong competition.

Cork-born Twomey and his bay stallion 'Je t'Aime Flamenco' picked up E26,000 for a third place, while Tipperary's Denis Lynch and Thomas Straumann's 'Nabab's Son' were the last of the double clears amongst the ten combinations through to the final round, with a slower time producing E11,500 euro for sixth overall.

Co. Down's Dermott Lennon and Woods Rosbotham's 'Hallmark Elite' finished in 11th place as the fastest of the first round's four faulters, but were just outside the prize money.

Source : www.rte.ie

07.08.2010 : Irish Examiner

Fighting Irish restore pride

THE bright orange of the Netherlands shone in the Meydan FEI Nations Cup at the Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show yesterday, but a superb comeback by the Irish, featuring clear rounds from Cian O’Connor and a pain-wracked Denis Lynch gave the crowd plenty to cheer about.

It ensured Ireland finished equal second and gave manager Robert Splaine reason to be upbeat.

"I’m very happy. I know I predicted we could win, but things did not go our way in the first round. The comeback was fantastic and the second round was what I had expected in the first. Perhaps the riders were spurred on by the president’s arrival,’’ he joked. He focused on the "courage’’ of Dermott Lennon in lining out just a week after a bad fall in Hickstead, the class of Billy Twomey, the reliability of Lynch as anchorman and the way O’Connor adapted to give his "fantastic’’ new horse a superb ride second time out. France had already won the Meydan Series title going into yesterday’s competition.

However, the Irish quartet were among the favourites too, following their sensational win in Germany last month.

Thus, expectation was high as the competition opened, and it looked like the course was there for the taking, with Twomey and Tinka’s Serenade cruising around in style to be among two clears in the first five riders.

It soon became evident this was not to be the case and the Irish were among those experiencing trouble. Dermott Lennon, riding Hallmark Elite, ended on 12 faults, failing to find a rhythm with the gelding. O’Connor and K Club Lady lowered the fourth and could have been considered a little unlucky to do likewise with the last, the final part of the treble. Lynch also fell foul of the fourth and the treble. The upshot was the team were one of three countries fourth on 20 faults at the halfway stage.

At the top, the Netherlands and Sweden were tied on just four faults. Both were staring at relegation and battling hard to overtake Spain – who were not having the best of days – in the league table and book their place in next year’s series.

Round two saw Twomey get Ireland off to another good start with just four faults, but former world champion Lennon continued to look like he was suffering the effects of Hickstead, adding eight to the total.

At this stage, it was all about putting some gloss on the performance and O’Connor duly answered the call, with a copybook performance that proved a real crowd-pleaser. Not long afterwards the roar was replicated for Lynch, elevating the team to equal second with the Americans on a total of 20 faults.

The Dutch continued their powerhouse performance and, such was their effectiveness, that they had a winning margin of 16 faults. Three clears in the second round put them in a class of their own, returning them to the Meydan Series next year, as the Swedes tumbled down the leaderboard.

Lynch’s performance was put in context when it emerged he had fought through the pain barrier, suffering back spasms from a "muscle and disc’’ problem.

Visibly in pain, he did his best to play down the problem. "It hurt in round one, but I had treatment and it was much better second time out,’’ said the Tipperary rider, who vowed to be back to full health if required for next month’s World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Kentucky.

O’Connor held his hand up for his disappointing first-round performance on K Club Lady, a horse he has achieved much success with since she was acquired in April for Michael Smurfit. "I rode differently before, using a lot of leg, but I learned an expensive lesson today. As horses improve, they change. She was more on her toes and I knew I needed less pressure for the second round. It’s the small things that are so important.’’

Twomey preferred not to focus on his own input, saying it was a team performance. He praised the "phenomenal’’ support from the crowd.

Splaine had reason to be satisfied with his season so far, leading his team to fourth of 10 countries in the Meydan Series, with plenty of optimism for a good performance in WEG.

"Overall, I’m very pleased. We had a number of goals; one was a good Dublin, another was to stay in the Meydan, which we achieved and, of course, we won in Aachen,’’ he said.

As for his World Equestrian Games plans, the Corkman said he would take his time before making any decision on his squad.

"I will take in a number of other shows, such as Gijon, Madrid and Barcelona in Spain, while Calgary in Canada could also have a significance. Each horse is an individual and has to be considered independently,’’ he said.

Source : www.examiner.ie

18.05.2010 : RTE.ie

Lynch takes prize in Hamburg

Tipperary's Denis Lynch won himself a car with a foot-perfect display on Thomas Straumann's gelding Nabab's Son at the five-star Hamburg, Germany show on Thursday. The 35-year-old Irish rider was one of just four to collect a zero
score over both rounds in the Mercedes Benz Hamburg Championship, though a single pole down in the nine-horse jump off saw Cork's Billy Twomey finish in sixth place with a €2,500 cash prize. The win puts Lynch in an advantageous position for the Global
Champions' Tour Grand Prix on Saturday, as today's feature class was also a qualifier for the €285,000 competition highlight of the
weekend's show. Jessica Kurten and Cian O'Connor are also representing Ireland at the German event.

Source : www.rte.ie

15.03.2010 : RTE.ie

Lynch third in German Grand Prix

 With eleven through to the jump-off at Braunschweig's Grand Prix in Germany on Sunday, it looked like Ireland's Denis Lynch had a good chance of snatching the first prize of a Volkswagen car when he went clear with 'Abbervail van het Dingeshof', but his stay at the top of the leaderboard was short-lived.

Britain's Robert Whitaker and the Irish-bred 'Casino' were first to
beat the Irishman's time, but last man in Lars Neiberg trumped both riders with a scorching finish on the bay gelding 'Lord Luis'.

Lynch and Thomas Straumann's 10-year-old gelding ended up just over one-and-a-half seconds off the pace of the German winner, but a third place netted the Tipperary rider €9,000 in prize money and established one of his best results on the international circuit this month.

Source : www.rte.ie

15.12.2009 : Irish Independent

Lynch pipped at post

Denis Lynch was pipped at the post for the Grand Prix honours at the Gucci Masters in Paris yesterday.

Riding All Inclusive NRW he was holding the lead in the nine-horse jump-off until, last man in, reigning World Champion, Belgium's Jos Lansink, shaved less than a second off his time to snatch the €50,000 winner's prize, leaving the Irishman with the €40,000 runner-up prize.

Cian O'Connor was also in action at the French venue, but an unlucky four faults kept him out of the jump-off in yesterday's feature competition with Rancorrado. O'Connor finished fourth with Splendorin Friday's Speed class ahead of Lynch and Upsilon d'Ocquier in fifth, and he was sixth again yesterday.

Jessica Kuerten slipped out of the top 10 earlier this year, but Irish riders remain prominent, with five currently in the top 50 including Kuerten in 16th, Lynch 18th, O'Connor 34th, Billy Twomey 38th and Cameron Hanley in 50th.

Kuerten's top mare Castle Forbes Libertina returned after a long injury lay-off for fifth place in a hot jump-off class at Porto in Portugal on Friday.

Meanwhile, at the Show Jumpers Club Ball in Kildare on Saturday, Hanley received the Show Jumper of the Year award. Darragh Kenny took the Rookie of the Year title, Alex Duffy took the Young Rider trophy and a special award was made to 16-year-old Kellie Allen, who claimed individual gold at this year's European Pony Championships.

- Louise Parkes

Source : www.independent.ie 

15.11.2009 : RTE.ie

Lynch misses out on jump-off

A €57,000 prize for fifth place was Denis Lynch's reward for
making it through to the hotly-contested final of the 2009 Global
Champions' Tour at Doha, Qatar on Saturday.

With 25 qualified combinations whittled down to 18 after Thursday's night's first round, some of the world's top riders battled it out over Conrad Holmfeld's big course in the desert state's capital.

Two riders were able to achieve double clear rounds. The €300,000 first prize went to France's Michel Robert, who shaded Belgian runner-up Jos Lansink by an eighth of a second.

Tipperary-born Lynch, meanwhile, riding Thomas Straumann's gelding All Inclusive NRW, fell foul of the clock in the first round with just one time fault keeping him out of the four-horse jump off.

Ireland's only other contender, Jessica Kurten, failed to make it to
the Final after nine faults on Thursday night, but took consolation
from the €40,750 she collected in prize money from two wins and
other places accumulated before Saturday's competitions.

Quelle : www.rte.ie

14.09.2009 : RTE.ie

Lynch fourth in German Grand Prix

Tipperary's Denis Lynch jumped two rounds clear today (Sunday) at Paderborn, Germany, and finished fourth in the Riders' Tour Grand Prix.

Piloting Thomas Straumann's 10-year-old bay gelding 'All Inclusive
NRW', the 33-year-old Irishman was one of ten through to the second round at the four-star show, but broke the beam just under a second-and-a-half slower than Mexico's Santiago Lambre, who secured the €25,000 first prize in a tightly-fought finish.

Nevertheless, Lynch took home €9,000 for his efforts, adding to
the prize money already accumulated at Paderborn.

On Saturday he won the Young Horse Final with 'Boemerang', and was fourth in Friday's speed class with 'Abervail van het Dingeshof'.

Quelle : www.rte.ie

15.08.2009 : RTE.ie

Ireland Equestrian team named

Manager Robert Splaine has announced the Irish squad for the European Show Jumping Championships to take place in Windsor in the UK from 26-30 August.

Darragh Kerins; Night Train (Owner Double H Farm), Denis Lynch; Lantinus (Owner Flaminia Straumann), Cian O'Connor; Rancorrado (Owner Aileen Bryan), Thomas Ryan; Urleven van de Helle (Owner Gloria Eschenbach) and Billy Twomey; Je t'Aime Flamenco (Owner Sue Davies) are the five who will represent Ireland.

Speaking after the announcement Robert Splaine said that the selection had been very difficult.

'I went to Dublin expecting that the Aga Khan team there would make selecting the Championship team obvious, but it didn't work out that way and I have had to rethink my plans,' Splaine explained.

He went on: 'Darragh Kerins and 'Night Train' had good form in the US and then came to Europe and jumped a double clear on our winning team in Falsterbo. Darragh confirmed his selection with a very good showing in Dublin.

'Denis Lynch and 'Lantinus' are an obvious and automatic choice, while Cian O'Connor and 'Rancorrado' delivered consistent performances in Nations' Cups at Aachen and Hickstead, and jumped a solid second round in the Aga Khan competition at Dublin.

'Thomas Ryan had arrived at this level in the crucial Super League
final last year in Barcelona where he did a great job for the team
with 'Urleven van de Helle'. His form dipped a little earlier in the
year but he pushed himself into the frame with a very good showing in Dublin, particularly in the Grand Prix.

'While they disappointed somewhat in Dublin, Billy Twomey and 'Je t'Aime Flamenco' have had good form throughout the year and have shown championship potential, particularly at St Gallen where they won the Grand Prix,' he explained.

Quelle : www.rte.ie

27.07.2009 : RTE.ie

Splaine confirms Irish Aga Khan line-up

Horse Sport Ireland Team Manager Robert Splaine has announced his team for the Nations' Cup at the Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show on Friday 7 August.

The team in alphabetical order is:

Cameron Hanley: SIEC Livello
Denis Lynch: Lantinus
Cian O'Connor: Rancorrado
Billy Twomey: Je t'Aime Flamenco

Speaking after the announcement Splaine said that the team had
been particularly difficult to pick this year.

He said: 'After our win in Sweden and our good showing in Hickstead we had a number of riders in the equation for selection and it was a very difficult choice. I am very confident that the team selected will perform very well.'

Commenting on the Aga Khan team, Splaine said that all the
riders were very experienced at the highest level.

He stressed: 'Cameron Hanley has put in strong performances for the team this year and delivered a vital clear round with 'SIEC Livello' during our win in Sweden last month. Denis Lynch and 'Lantinus' have been excellent all year, culminating in their win in the Aachen Grand Prix and their clear round to help win the Nations' Cup in Sweden for Ireland.

'Cian O'Connor and 'Rancorrado' have put in some very good team performances and they performed very well in Hickstead last week. Bill Twomey is an outstanding rider and while 'Je T'aime Flamenco' is still very young he has gone very well this year and won the Grand Prix in St Gallen.'

Splaine announced that Darragh Kerins and Night Train would be first reserve.

'This year countries can only name four combinations but substitutions are allowed up to the start of the show and we are very lucky to have a combination of Darragh Kerins and Night Train, who delivered a double clear in Sweden in his first Nations' Cup, on standby,' he said.

Splaine concluded by saying that as well as being vital in its own
right, the Nations' Cup in Dublin would be important as a final chance to view the combinations before the European Championships which take place in Windsor in August of this year.

Quelle : www.rte.ie

06.07.2009 : Horse Sport Ireland

LYNCH TRIUMPHS IN AACHEN GRAND PRIX

IRELAND'S Denis Lynch this afternoon (Sunday) walked away with one of show jumping's richest and most prestigious prizes when he won the Aachen Grand Prix in Germany on Flaminia Straumann's bay gelding 'Lantinus'.

The Aachen Grand Prix has been won by Irish riders only twice in recent times - in 1999 Trevor Coyle took the trophy with 'Cruising', and in 1978 Eddie Macken was victorious with the legendary 'Boomerang'.

Today Tipperary-born Lynch collected 115,000 euro after a nail-biting jump-off against Australia's Edwina Alexander, France's Philip LeJeune and German Olympic Gold Medallist Marcus Ehning, whose time was faster than the Irish rider's but who paid the price for speed by dislodging a pole to finish third on four faults.

Afterwards Horse Sport Ireland Team Manager Robert Splaine said: "This is a fantastic achievement for Denis, winning one of the world's greatest Grands Prix. He has shown tremendous commitment, and his win today is a great boost for Irish show jumping."

Quelle : www.horsesportireland.ie

06.07.2009 : Irish Independent

Lynch joins elite Irish group with Aachen triumph

Denis Lynch galloped into the showjumping history books yesterday when becoming only the third Irish rider to claim the most prestigious Grand Prix title in the world at Aachen in Germany.

Riding Lantinus, the German-based Tipperary man produced three spectacular clear rounds to pip Australia's Edwina Alexander for the €115,000 first prize. World No 2 Marcus Ehning had to settle for third ahead of Belgium's Philippe Lejeune in fourth.

With just four through to the third-round decider, Lynch and Flaminia Straumann's 11-year-old gelding were chasing Alexander's target time of 56.34 seconds with the gutsy little Isovlas du Chateau, and they shaved more than a second off that to put it up to Ehning and Noltes Kuchengirl, who were last out.

Although the German partnership crossed the line quicker, they left a fence on the floor to finish just ahead of Lejeune, who had also faulted with Vigo d'Arsouilles when pathfinder.

The last Irish rider to lift the Aachen Grand Prix trophy was Trevor Coyle when he was at the peak of his great partnership with the stallion Cruising in 1999. Eddie Macken and Boomerang put their names on the trophy in 1978.

"Winning the Grand Prix at Aachen is on par with winning a Championship title -- it's quite an achievement and Denis did us proud," said Irish team manager Robert Splaine.

Cian O'Connor and Rancorrado collected 12 faults in the first round of the Grand Prix, but the Meath rider and the super-fast mare Baloufina followed their victory in Thursday's Speed Derby with fourth place in Saturday's Hunting Competition.

Meanwhile, at the Junior and Young Rider European Championships at Hoofddorp in Holland, the Young Rider team of Kelly O'Connor, David Simpson, David Blake and Alex Duffy just missed out on a medal when finishing joint-fourth with Germany as Spain took gold, France silver and Italy bronze.

- Louise Parkes

Quelle : www.independent.ie 

28.06.2009 : Horse Sport Ireland

HORSE SPORT IRELAND NAMES AACHEN TEAM

HORSE Sport Ireland’s Show Jumping Team Manager Robert Splaine has named the four riders to represent Ireland in the next round of the Meydan Nations' Cup Series in Aachen on Thursday July 2.

The squad in alphabetical order is:
Cameron Hanley; Southwind or SIEC Livello
Denis Lynch; Lantinus
Cian O Connor; Rancorrado
Billy Twomey; Je t’Aime Flamenco

There are two changes from the team that competed in the last round in Rotterdam where Ireland finished fifth, with Cian O’Connor and Billy Twomey replacing Jessica Kurten and Capt. David O’Brien. Horse Sport Ireland Team Manager Robert Splaine said today: “I am delighted that Cian’s Horse 'Rancorrado' is back for the team as he performed very well for us last year and is a horse of serious potential. Billy’s horse was outstanding in winning the Grand Prix in St. Gallen and Denis Lynch and 'Lantinus' is a proven combination at this level. Cameron Hanley had an excellent clear round in Rotterdam with 'Livello' and his other horse 'Southwind' was a solid performer for the team at the end of last year,” he saidRobert Splaine explained that while Jessica Kurten had performed outstandingly well in Rotterdam at the last Nations' Cup, plans for Aachen had been made some weeks ago and the final entries had to be made before Rotterdam took place.

"Jessica has indicated that she will be available should anything go wrong with any of the selected combinations between now and the show,” he said.

Aachen’s Nations Cup is one of the most high profile Nation’s Cups in the world and is a mid season target for many teams.

“We have a strong team going to Aachen but I expect all countries will have their strongest combinations on duty so it will be a real challenge and one that myself and the riders are looking forward to,” he explained.

At present Ireland lies second from the bottom of the Meydan Series table and with two teams being relegated at the end of the year Splaine is conscious that an improvement is needed.

“Overall, while our results have been disappointing there have been some very good individual performances and morale is very good. I am hopeful that it will come together in the remaining four rounds and that we can lift ourselves out of the relegation zone. A good result in Aachen would be a tremendous boost,” he said. 

Quelle : www.horsesportireland.ie

14.06.2009 : Horse Sport Ireland

LYNCH AND LANTINUS FOURTH IN CANNES GRAND PRIX

ONLY time faults separated the top four finishers in tonight's (Saturday) five-star Cannes Grand Prix, and Ireland's Denis Lynch was one of the quartet with Thomas Straumann's talented gelding 'Lantinus'.

Only French ace Roger Yves Bost and 'Ideal de la Loge' produced two rounds clear of any penalties and this removed the need for a jump-off.The Tipperary-born rider then battled it out with Germany's Daniel Deusser and Britain's Ben Maher for the bulk of the remaining prize money, but while the Irish rider incurred two time faults in his final round the others escaped with one each, so Lynch finished in fourth, but almost 22,000 euro richer.

Bost, whose time of 52.51 proved unbeatable, collected 95,000 euro and valuable Global Champions Tour points for his win.
 Ireland's other Grand Prix contestant, Jessica Kurten, had four faults in the first round and nine in the second with Lady Georgina Forbes's mare 'Quibell' to finish in 13th place overall.

Both Kurten and Lynch will be part of Ireland's Nations' Cup team for the Rotterdam Meydan Series contest next Friday (June 19).

Quelle : www.horsesportireland.ie

08.05.2009 : RTE.ie

Irish Meydan Nations Cup squad is named

Horse Sport Ireland show jumping Team Manager Robert Splaine has named the five-man squad who will travel to La Baule, France next week for the first of the new Meydan Nations' Cup series, which replaces the Samsung Super League.

The squad, from which a team of four will be selected for Friday's
competition is, in alphabetical order: Kevin Babington - Souvenir, Denis Lynch - Abbervail van het Dingeshof or All Inclusive or Nabab's Son, Cian O'Connor - Complete, Thomas Ryan - Urleven van de Helle and Shane Sweetnam - Amaretto d'Arco.

Splaine said today: 'La Baule is always unpredictable, being the first Cup of the season, and it will be even more so this year, with ten nations competing instead of eight. All nations will be putting their toe in the water for the first time in the Meydan series. La Baule is always a very very strong competition, but equally, I think we'll be putting in a very strong performance.'

Splaine has selected Irish Nations' Cup veterans Cian O'Connor and Denis Lynch for the La Baule squad, as well as Thomas Ryan, who distinguished himself as a Cup performer at the tail-end of last season.

The French clash will also see the return to the Irish squad of Tipperary's US-based Kevin Babington, who along with O'Connor was one of the stars of the Irish team that won the Nations' Cup Series outright nine years ago.

Also travelling from the US will be Cork-born Shane Sweetnam, who was with Babington in February's team at Wellington in Florida, where Ireland took second place.

Ireland finished in fifth place at the end of the Samsung Super League series in 2008. The Meydan Series is restricted to the top ten show jumping nations in the world, and at the end of the year, after the final at the Dublin Horse Show, the two lowest-placed teams will be relegated.

Quelle : www.rte.ie

04.05.2009 : RTE.ie

Ireland third in Belgian nations' cup

Ireland today finished third in the Belgian Nations' Cup at Lummen on a total of 18 faults.

Victory went to France, who overtook halftime leaders Belgium to
finish on just four faults, while the home team recorded a total of
eight.

Ten teams took part this afternoon, and Ireland's luck nearly ran out when opening man Cian O'Connor was eliminated and sustained an injury to his chin at the treble when 'Splendor' put in a stop, having jumped clear to that point.

However, 20-year-old David Simpson with the Irish-bred 'Cruise With Me' had just one fence down and faulted twice on his
second round.

Tipperary's Denis Lynch with 'Abbervail van het Dingeshof' had one time fault in each round, while Billy Twomey and 'Je t'Aime Flamenco' had Ireland's only clear round first time out, and dropped a single pole in the final round.

Afterwards Horse Sport Ireland Team Manager Robert Splaine said: 'That was tough jumping today with fences not far off Super League size, but the lads put in a really gutsy performance and I'm pleased at the result.

'It was their first Nations' Cup appearance for most of the horses, and the performances today clear up a lot of issues in my own
mind, and some important decisions can now be made ahead of the very important Meydan Series, which begins later this month.' 

Quelle : www.rte.ie

12.03.2009 : Irish Independent

All Inclusive joins Lynch string in big-money deal

Denis Lynch yesterday confirmed that he has added one of the most sought-after horses in the world, All Inclusive, to his already powerful string.

The Tipperary showjumper declined to confirm the price paid by his Swiss patron, Thomas Straumann, for the 10-year-old, formerly ridden by German star Ludger Beerbaum, but it is believed to be in the millions.

Lynch attempted to purchase the Dutch team horse Oki Doki last year, but that fell through, so he turned his attention to All Inclusive, which finished seventh at the Beijing Olympics.

The sale was agreed during the World Cup Show at Bordeaux last month, but it was not finalised until this week.

"I'll be able to take some of the pressure off Lantinus now and save him for some special events, including the European Championships," said the rider, who was sensationally eliminated from last summer's Olympics after a positive test for his horse.

"My other main goals this year are the Global Champions Tour and helping the Irish team when I'm wanted," he added.

- Louise Parkes

Quelle : www.independent.ie 

09.02.2009 : Irish Independent

Lynch proves Olympic ordeal is thing of past with timely return to form

Denis Lynch made a firm return to form over the weekend in Bordeaux when finishing ninth in Saturday night's World Cup qualifier and sixth in yesterday's Grand Prix partnering his Olympic ride, Lantinus.

The German-based Tipperary man has taken some time to bounce back after his shocking dismissal from the closing stages of last summer's Olympic Games in Hong Kong and his subsequent three-month suspension for the use of a banned substance on his horse.

But on Saturday night he was unlucky to miss the cut into the World Cup jump-off when producing the fastest four-fault result in the first round, during which Jessica Kuerten retired with Quibell.

The Dutch partnership of Albert Zoer and Oki Doki were the popular winners here, clinching the €40,500 winners purse.

Perfect

Yesterday Lynch was foot-perfect all the way in the first round of the Grand Prix and left all the poles in place again in the 11-horse jump-off.

But his time of 37.18 seconds was only good enough for sixth spot as German riders Marco Kutscher (Cash), Marcus Ehning (Sandro Boy) and Ludger Beerbaum (Coupe de Coeur) scooped the top three placings ahead of Zoer and his second ride, Sam, who slotted into fourth ahead of Britain's Robert Whitaker and Lacroix in fifth.

Meanwhile, at the Winter Equestrian Festival in West Palm Beach, Florida, Irishmen Kevin Babington -- riding Souvenir -- and Darragh Kerins -- riding Night Train -- claimed fourth and fifth places respectively in last Thursday's $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup, won by World No 1 and Olympic champion Eric Lamaze from Canada.

Kerins returned with Night Train to finish in 10th place in Saturday's €150,000 World Cup qualifier.

- Louise Parkes

Quelle : www.independent.ie 

02.02.2009 : RTE.ie

Lynch seventh in Nantes Grand Prix

Tipperary's Denis Lynch finished seventh on Flaminia Straumann's Nabab's Son in the Nantes Grand Prix in France on Sunday.

Lynch, who also had a runner-up spot with the gelding in Friday's big jump-off class, collected E1200 for his three-star Grand Prix
place after lowering one pole in the first round.

Only Belgian winner Vincent Lambrecht and Cashmira managed a double clear round from the starting field of 40, with Germany's Toni Hassman in second with a faster jump-off round, but four faults on the board.

Lambrecht's reward for first place was E10,000.

Ireland's other representative at Nantes, Jessica Kurten, retired from the main Grand Prix but was tenth in the Ladies' Grand Prix this morning on the mare Mirabel d'Auvray, and had a sixth place with Castle Forbes Cadeau Z in Friday's jump-off.

Quelle : www.rte.ie

15.01.2009 : Irish Independent

Lynch back on Lantinus with Vegas in his sights

Three of Ireland's top riders line out at the World Cup qualifying fixture in Leipzig, Germany this weekend as international show jumping action restarts following the short year-end break.

Jessica Kuerten's riding ban expired eight days ago so she will line out with Castle Forbes Cadeau Z, Libertina, Fashion and Quibell, while Denis Lynch brings Lantinus back to the ring for the first time since their ignominious departure from the Olympics.

The Tipperary man also takes Nabab's Son, which finished third in the Grand Prix at Olympia in London in December, as well as the promising nine-year-old Abbervale, which placed fifth in the small Grand Prix and eighth in the main Grand Prix at the competitive fixture in Munster, Germany.

Despite his Olympic fiasco, Lynch enters 2009 with an even stronger string of horses, having purchased a six-year- old half-brother to Lantinus in September and a promising six-year-old stallion, Contifex by Cornet Obolensky.

With 12 World Cup points to his credit after finishing fifth in the Belgian leg at Mechelen just after Christmas, Lynch could be within reach of a qualifying spot for the Las Vegas final in April if he can record some good results over the remaining six rounds of the 13-leg series.

Cian O'Connor rounded off his '08 season in superb form with a double victory at Olympia and lines out in Leipzig with Rancorrado, Complete and Splendour.

Now lying 40th in the Rolex World Rankings, he has his '09 sights set on the Global Champions Tour, which kicks off in Arrezzo, Italy, in early April and for which he will be eligible if he can improve a little further up the order.

Ireland go into '09 with Kuerten lying seventh in the world rankings, Lynch in 23rd, O'Connor in 40th and Cameron Hanley in 47th place.

- Louise Parkes

Quelle : www.independent.ie 

31.12.2008 : RTE.ie

Lynch fifth in Mechelen

Denis Lynch produced Ireland's most significant result of 2008's last major show jumping event when he finished fifth in the Rolex World Cup competition at Mechelen tonight.

Tipperary-born Lynch attended the Belgian show alongside Shane Breen, a competitor from the same county, but neither man tasted outright victory during the end-of-year venue's four days of competition.

However, Lynch's fifth place tonight on Flaminia Straumann's bay
gelding Nabab's Son proved a worthy consolation prize for the 32-year-old rider, gaining him valuable World Cup points from the show's signature contest, along with a prize purse of €7,700.

Breen was not so fortunate, faulting three times and also collecting a time penalty in tonight's first World Cup round with Carmel Ryan's Carmena Z, but did pick up some prize money on Monday with a fourth place riding Milord d'Elle in the Mechelen Six Bar. Lynch was also eighth in the 1m40 jump off earlier today with Abbervail vh Dingeshof.

Quelle : www.rte.ie

16.08.2008 : Irish Independent

Lynch buoyed by strong Lantinus start

Denis Lynch got off to the perfect start on the opening day of the Olympic show jumping competition at Shatin stadium in Hong Kong when picking up just a single time penalty with Lantinus.

Although counting towards the individual rankings, most riders used the class as a schooling exercise for their horses, so even many of the favourites, including all of the much-fancied German team, disregarded time and fence penalties as they encouraged their horses to relax and familiarise themselves with the ring.

Lynch ran late in the evening and Lantinus was forward and strong over the 12-fence track, but the Irish partnership looked comfortable and confident and the man who hails from Kilfeacle, Tipperary, said afterwards that he was well pleased with how his horse is feeling. "Lantinus is always stronger on the first day at any show but he couldn't be in better form, so I'm very happy," the 32-year-old said.

He admitted, however, that the hand he injured in the fall during the Puissance at Dublin Horse Show last Saturday is causing him some pain. "It hurts a bit when the horse takes a pull, but I think I'll survive!" he insisted. And he added that, in retrospect, taking part in such a risky class ahead of his Olympic challenge was not the best decision he has ever made.

"I don't know what I was thinking really," he said.

The Irish duo will now compete individually in tomorrow's first round of the team medal decider and should make the cut into Monday's second nations' cup round in which the top 50 riders take part.

Following that, the top 35 go through to Wednesday's individual first leg, while the medals will be presented after next Thursday's top-20 individual finale.

- Lucy O'Brien

Quelle : www.independent.ie 

10.08.2008 : Irish Independent

It's not a huge leap for Lynch to become a legend

Ireland's only Olympic showjumping hopeful -- who is already being hailed as our best chance at a gold medal in the Beijing Games -- was taking it all in his stride

GRUELLING, challenging and exhausting are terms frequently used to describe the highly-competitive world of champion showjumping.

But they are not words to be found in the dictionary of Denis Lynch -- a man whose name is firmly on the way to being as well-known to even the most casual observers of showjumping as those of his fellow Irish Aga Khan team mates, Jessica Kuerten and Cian O'Connor.

Ireland's only Olympic showjumping hopeful -- who is already being hailed as our best chance at a gold medal in the Beijing games -- was taking it all in his stride yesterday.

Even as he mopped the sweat from his brow after his highly-successful outing for the country in the Nation's Cup, Lynch had already changed his mind about flying out to China today as planned and is now going to travel tomorrow evening instead, in order to have a shot at the Grand Prix at the Dublin Horse Show.

"My horse is jumping well and I've a good chance of winning the big prize," he explained, candidly admitting that it was a good opportunity to win some serious money.

He has arranged to travel out with British Olympic showjumping hopeful Nick Skelton, who was part of yesterday's champion team.

The change of plan will mean that Lynch will arrive in Beijing just a day before his first jump, with precious little time to recover after a busy week at the RDS, let alone his flight.

But with an impressively laidback, can-do attitude, that idea doesn't bother the 32-year-old Tipperary man.

Shrugged

"I don't do anything else other than showjumping," he shrugged in a self-deprecating manner belying his talent and renowned capacity for hard work. "I'm very proud to be representing the country," he said.

Lynch isn't feeling too stressed out by the prospect of the Olympics and says he is going to take it 'round by round.'

As part of his training, he revealed that he has been trying to prepare himself for the notorious humidity by going out running.

His horse, Lantinus -- considered to be the best show-jumping horse in the world, having topped the World Breeding Federation rankings -- travelled out to China last Wednesday is also very fit, giving the pair a great shot at gold.

The father of one, who is based in Germany, is not bringing his family with him on his two-week trip to Beijing, adding that he doesn't mind going alone.

It was thanks to the same positive thinking that showed him ending yesterday's competition with just one time fault in each round, earning him an enormous round of applause from the home crowd.

Lynch said he enjoyed the day and his horse, Nabab's Son had jumped very well, though, like the rest of the Irish team, admitted he had felt the pressure towards the end.

"We did very well but I'm not somebody who goes around throwing my hands up into the air in the ring and giving big impressions," he said.

The atmosphere around the RDS yesterday for the Nation's Cup was one of mixed emotions, with the horse-loving crowd loath for any horse and rider to do badly, no matter what team they were on.

As President Mary McAleese watched from the stand with husband Martin, even the home supporters clicked their tongues encouragingly for US rider, Hillary Dobbs' horse Quincy B, well on course to a clear round.

But there was warm and rapturous applause for Irish legend, Eddie Macken, when he entered the ring for the first round. There were also heartfelt groans of sympathy as he clocked up 14 faults.

Eddie admitted afterwards that it had been a long and lonely journey out of the ring, which made his success in the second round, with just two time faults, all the sweeter, and the crowd almost went wild with joy as Eddie galloped out, his face wreathed in smiles.

He has already promised Irish team manager, Robert Splaine, that he "won't be bothering him again," the 58-year-old rider quipped at the press conference afterwards.

- Nicola Anderson

Quelle : www.independent.ie 

09.08.2008 : Irish Independent

Lynch and Lantinus bookies' favourite to join elite group of Irish medal winners

Whisper it very quietly, but Ireland's best chance of an Olympic medal in Beijing could again come in the form of a horse.

Lantinus is without question the best show-jumping horse in the world today, topping the World Breeding Federation rankings. After his current jockey Denis Lynch won the Qatar Global Champions Tour, picking up a cheque for £100,000, the horse's owner, Swiss industrialist Thomas Straumann, turned down an offer that swiftly rose from 34m to 35.5m.

That price can only have rocketed after the wonder horse notched up further victories at La Baule, France, and Rome, Italy and also put in strong performances for the Irish team at Samsung Super League events.

Not since the era of Eddie Macken and Boomerang has Irish rider racked up three successive major victories. At the Samsung Super League in Aachen, he nailed down his place for Beijing with a great clear from Lantinus, despite a wild run to the open water where Lantinus stood off by a long distance before clearing.

Even the bookies agree that Denis Lynch is Ireland's best chance of a gold medal. Paddy Power puts him at 12-1, ahead of the boxer Darren Sutherland at 14-1 and trap shooter Derek Burnett at 16-1. Bet on Lynch to win any colour of medal and the odds drop to a very poor value 3-1.

But who is Denis Lynch and where has he come from? For the past couple of years the best-known names in Irish showjumping have been the world No 2 Jessica Kurten, who won Ireland the individual place in Beijing, and Cian O'Connor.

DRAMATICALLY

O'Connor, who won and lost the gold so dramatically in Athens, is the reserve rider for Beijing with his new horse Complete.

Lynch had been a good, middle-ranking rider for years. Originally from Kilfeacle in Tipperary, he was born in May 1976, the middle of three children.

His musician father was a great horse lover and soon the young Denis was point-to-pointing and riding out with the Scarteens.

When he grew too tall, he gave up on his initial ambition to become a jockey.

In 1994, aged 18, he headed to Germany, home of the world's top show-jumping horses, for a job in the yard of international show jumpers Helena and Peter Weinberg in Herzogenrath, Germany.

Three years later, he set up his own yard in Munster, Westfalen, where he soon had a string of 30 horses to look after.

In 2000, he won his first big Grand Prix at Liechtenstein on Luigy and began riding horses for Thomas Straumann, a wealthy Swiss industrialist.

The relationship has continued to this day, with Straumann currently owning an impressive string of horses at various stages of development.

Best of them is Lantinus, a fearless Hanoverian gelding. Unlike many finely tuned animals, Lantinus does not easily "spook" and so far hasn't picked up any of the aches and ailments that bedevil pure-bred animals. In plain talk, he is a machine; a horse that will keep calm when faced with the noisy clamour of an Olympic Games arena.

Walsh had first spotted Lantinus at Wiesbaden in 2007 when he was part of an international string of horses and riders assembled in Belgium by the enigmatic Ukrainian gas millionaire Alexander Onishchenko.

WONDER

Riding Lantinus was the ex-Belgian Greg Wathelet. Because the pair kept winning, Lynch didn't fancy his chances of acquiring the wonder horse.

Fate played into his hands when Onishchenko was arrested at Bierset airport in Belgium with a large sum of unexplained cash. Soon after, his string of horses was put on the market. Lynch didn't waste a minute.

He spent the remaining months of 2007 getting used to his new horse and at the Dresden Grand Prix on November 26 had two clear rounds for the combination's first victory.

Like all the Irish horses, Lantinus goes into quarantine on July 26. Lynch, in the meantime, may be seen at the RDS riding one of his other horses.

He has never made an Irish team for the Aga Khan Trophy - making it this year would give him the perfect send-off.

- Lindie Naughton

Quelle : www.independent.ie 

08.08.2008 : Horse Sport Ireland

IRELAND SECOND IN DUBLIN'S AGA KHAN

A NAIL-BITING Aga Khan Trophy competition at the Failte Ireland Dublin Horse Show today (Friday) saw Ireland recover from a shaky first round of 16 faults to finish in runner-up spot behind Britain.

Olympic rider Denis Lynch with Flaminia Straumann's 'Nabab's Son' recorded just one time fault first time out, but Eddie Macken and 'First Tedechine Sept' racked up 12 jumping faults and two time penalties.

Jessica Kurten with Lady Georgina Forbes's mare 'Castle Forbes Libertina' made an uncharacteristic mistake to collect four faults, while Cian O'Connor with Aileen Bryan's 'Rancorrado' had a foot-perfect round up to the final combination where the horse put in a stop and then dropped a pole when re-taking the fence, registering 11 faults on the scoreboard.

With Britain, the USA, and the Netherlands all ahead on the half-time leaderboard, Ireland needed exceptional performances in the second round and these were delivered by Denis Lynch, who once again incurred one time fault, Eddie Macken, who recorded two, and Jessica Kurten, who gave Ireland its only zero score.

Cian O'Connor was less fortunate with 'Rancorrado', dropping two fences and then retiring when he realised that he could not improve the team position.

Ireland finished on 19 faults, just five behind winners Britain, but more importantly the Samsung Super League points gained at the RDS hoisted the home team up to fifth place in the rankings ahead of the league final in Barcelona in September.

After the competition, Team Manager Robert Splaine said: "We let it slip badly in the first round. Eddie had 14 faults and Cian O'Connor had a spectacularly good round up to the final fence where it all went wrong for him. But the resolve and nerve and determination we showed in the second round was fantastic. Fair play to them all - it was a great recovery, and we came so close to winning. I think it is now vital we put together the strongest team possible for the final in Barcelona."

Quelle : www.horsesportireland.ie

05.08.2008 : Horse Sport Ireland

Download : Olympic Biography Denis Lynch (pdf)

Quelle : www.horsesportireland.ie

04.08.2008 : Irish Independent

Taking it all in his stride

Good fortune and good timing have given Denis Lynch a realistic shot at Olympic glory, writes John O'Brien

THE afternoon sun shines high in the sky, beating down on bare-chested workmen who rest on shovels and watch mechanised diggers blast their way through earth and concrete.

They are laying the foundations for Alemannia Aachen's new stadium which will take little more than a year to complete and, even though it will be a gleaming new structure with room for 32,000 paying customers, there is little chance it will blind them to their status. In Aachen, the sporting gods conduct their business in the manor next door.

Next door is the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein, a shrine to showjumping in a country where horsemen can rival footballers for wealth and prestige. A fleet of Mercedes sit parked by the entrance to the stables. Their drivers pass the time sharing cigarettes and talking into their mobile phones. Then a young Arab girl leaves the arena, skips into the back of a black Sedan and, suddenly, they are a flurry of activity, roaring off towards the autobahn, leaving a long plume of dust in their wake.

Denis Lynch exits a short time later, stealing a glance at the arena to his right as he points his jeep towards the road. Three weeks ago they held the CHIO here, one of the most prestigious shows on the international circuit. You should have been there, he says. They staged the Nations Cup late on a balmy Thursday evening under floodlights, 50,000 spectators creating a wall of sound as the electricity and adrenaline surged through his veins. He'd never known a night like it.

He lives over 200 kilometres to the north and makes the long journey every day so he can sit on his Olympic horse which stays in quarantine here before making the long haul to Hong Kong next week. As he drives, he fields calls on his phone, switching effortlessly between languages, and when he isn't talking or doing business, there is time to think about where he has come from and the long, twisty road he has travelled.

This time last year he thought about attending international shows and trying to be competitive; that was the summit of his ambition. Now he is going to the Olympics as Ireland's most realistic chance of a gold medal and it still feels like a crazy dream. "I actually dread to think back sometimes," he says laughing. "How I even got here."

He can tell you all the constituent parts, just not exactly how they fell into place He worked hard. He did more right things than wrong. On the occasions that mattered, he was in the right place at the right time. And then, of course, there was that happy mistress, Lady Luck. A guy once said to him that if you were on the wrong side of the bar you could wait hours to get a pint. When the good stuff was flowing, you had to make sure you were on the right side of the bar.

Two years ago he didn't think much about luck. Twelve years had passed since Peter Weinberg, an Aachen-based rider, had seen him hack around in a yard near London and offered him a job. Lynch didn't need to think twice. He knew his showjumping history.

Germany was where Eddie Macken had gone all those years before. Germany was the Schockemoehles and the Beerbaums. It was virtually anyone who was anybody in showjumping. At home you could scratch around and earn a living. In Germany you could make it.

It was a hard dream to follow. One of his grandfathers had dabbled in horses but there was no other trace in his bloodline. In Kilfeacle, he'd grown up surrounded by fields and stables that housed horses. Sometimes when nobody was looking they'd steal into the paddocks and ride bareback and soon there was little else in his world. He quit school as early as he could, hunted and rode in point-to-points.

"I wanted to be a steeplechase jockey but it was the usual story. Suffered a couple of bad falls. Got big and heavy. I mean no way was this a planned career. I'm a very ordinary fella and I couldn't have started off thinking this way. I had fantastic parents and they were very good to me. But they could never have gone out and bought me a fancy horse or a couple of gymkhana ponies or anything like that."

He thinks he was lucky with the people he met. At Weinberg's he met his future wife, Simona, and it was she who pushed him forward, told him to chase his dream. "She more or less said we'll set up on our own and go from there. Her parents were there to support us but I'd have found a way anyway. Robbed a bank if I had to. I'd have done something."

Along the way he met Thomas Straumann, a Swiss multi-millionaire from a family who'd made their fortune in the dental implant business. He told Straumann his story, how he'd arrived in Munster in northern Germany where he bought young horses and, if they were good enough, sold them on for a profit. He was good at it and the years made him better, but selling his best horses left him short as a rider. In the saddle he was going nowhere fast.

"I'd made the decision I wasn't going to ride international shows anymore. I'd no fucking horses, none good enough anyway. I was just going to do young ones and sell them. That's when Thomas came into it. He sat me down and said that's not a very good idea. He said, 'look you can train my daughter how to ride and I'll see if I can get you a few horses. Work your way up'. And that's what I did."

With Straumann's backing, he bought decent horses, good enough to compete at the top shows. But Straumann wanted more. Lynch remembers a conversation they had at the start of last summer. Wouldn't it be nice, Straumann told him, if they could find a horse good enough to go to the Olympics? Lynch smiled nervously. "It was far-off thinking, really far-off. But it's 13 or 14 months on and now we have one. It's unbelievable."

He knew about Lantinus, of course. Everyone in showjumping knew about the nine-year-old Hannoverian bay gelding by Landkoenig. Five years earlier, he'd been sold for a record price at the Hannoverian Elite Sales. Three years later he was sold again for just short of €500,000. And for all the money he commanded, Lantinus proved to be a bargain every time he was moved on.

In 2006, he'd fallen into the hands of an ambitious Ukranian businessman, Alexander Onischenko. Onischenko gave the horse to one of his riders, Gregory Wathelet, and last year the partnership surged to three major Grand Prix victories in rapid succession. Lantinus was clearly a star in the making. Then towards the end of the year Lynch heard the gelding was for sale. He had to check him out.

"He was based at Paul Schockemoehle's yard and I went down and tried him. I did 20 or 30 jumps, hopped off and said 'right, we'll have the horse'. That was it. I more or less begged Thomas for the money. Buy this horse I said. This could be the one. How good I couldn't really say. I can't see into his head. He won a lot as a nine-year-old, did fantastic things. But you never know it's going to click like it's clicked."

In September, Wathelet had brought Lantinus to the European Championships in Mannheim and finished a hugely disappointing 40th. Suddenly there were question marks hanging over him. Had the horse reached his peak? Were his best performances behind him? It was Lynch's task to find the right answers to those questions. "Sure there were worries," he admits. "He'd been on the market for a while and Ludgar Beerbaum and a few other riders had tried him before me. I mean people were saying he's this and he's that and he was either going to go one way or the other way. All my time and energy went into him. It was a lot of hard work but it paid off. I don't know, maybe when you're stuck for something, when you really need it to happen, that's when you pull things off."

In the beginning, he proceeded tenderly and gradually his worries subsided. At home, Lantinus was so gentle his four-year-old daughter could sit on him unperturbed; at work, he was a different animal entirely. Lynch could feel the raw power and the drive, the instant change in attitude once they entered the ring. "It's like the bell goes and click, he's in the zone. That's what makes him special."

At the beginning of the year they claimed two Grand Prix victories on the indoor circuit, but that was just a taster for the outdoor season. In April, they went to Doha for the first leg of the Global Champions Tour, a mega-rich competition for the sport's elite riders, and recorded a stunning success. Grand Prix victories in La Baule, Rome and Hamburg followed. Not since the days of Macken and Boomerang had an Irish rider scooped so many major prizes.

Since the start of the year Lantinus has won him cars as well as €350,000 in prize money. More than that, he has emerged from virtual obscurity to a place among the top 30 riders in the world while Lantinus is currently the highest-rated horse in the World Breeding Federation rankings. There is simply no hotter riding combination on the planet.

So hot that after Doha a Sheikh with bottomless wealth offered them a mind-boggling €5.5m. To Lynch's relief, Straumann declined. Nothing better reflected his changed fortunes. He was more a buyer than a seller now. Recently they bought another horse, a young rival they will face in Hong Kong, and when Lantinus needs to rest, he thinks his new acquisition will be a worthy substitute. And that's how he needs to think, beyond the Olympics, to the next challenge.

Right now the next challenge is Dublin and his first experience of riding in the Aga Khan Cup. He doesn't get home much and it excites him. He loves riding for his country and if his emergence as a top rider has done anything, it has altered considerably the dynamics of the Irish team. That, he thinks, can only be a good thing.

When he first came into the Irish set-up in 2006, he detected a harsh, venomous atmosphere that shocked and appalled him. That Jessica Kuerten and Cian O'Connor were sworn enemies had long been an open secret even before their feud entered the public domain, but now Kuerten was involved in an unseemly squabble with her team manager, Robert Splaine. Lynch watched from the sidelines, perplexed and angry.

For his part, Lynch isn't friends with any of them. He admits to having a troubled relationship with Splaine and felt his Olympic selection, after Kuerten declined the place she herself had earned, had been needlessly drawn out.

Yet he wonders why the team should have to suffer for it. Years ago Macken and Paul Darragh didn't speak to each other for years, yet busted a gut whenever they jumped together for Ireland. The current generation, he thinks, need to remember that.

He tries to avoid the politics but, of course, it sucks him in. Kuerten and O'Connor will ride together in Dublin for the first time since Rome in May and, given Ireland's precarious position towards the foot of the Samsung Super League table, there is much riding on the outcome. In Rome, they finished fourth out of the eight teams, far from their worst result of the season, but the atmosphere still didn't feel right. It wasn't conducive to the team producing the best result it could.

For all his criticism, Lynch knows there are issues and that Splaine's job is a horribly tough one. For competing in Nations Cups this year, he thinks he has won in the region of €10,000, a pittance set against his earnings on the Grand Prix circuit. There is little financial incentive to keep your best horse for Nations Cups. Patriotism in showjumping can be a costly enterprise.

They need to find ways to address it. A while back an Irish bank came to him offering sponsorship and now he's trying to negotiate a deal with them for the entire Irish team. If it comes off, he hopes it will make it less tempting for riders to withhold their best horses from Nations Cup selection, but it is just a work in progress. For now he just keeps on keeping on, hoping, like the others, that the old enmities don't show their heads and the week passes off peacefully.

"I know there's people who'll say 'oh that Lynch, isn't he a funny character'. But I'm not there trying to say to anybody 'use him or use her' or 'she's this or he's that'. I couldn't give a shit really. As long as they put the jersey on that day and go out and do their bit I couldn't care less. That's my attitude. And Eddie Macken's a bit the same. Eddie and me had a serious chat in Hickstead. This is what we're doing. This is our plan. That's the way it has to be."

He sees Macken back in the team now, 58-years-young and 28 Aga Khan Cups behind him. Why, he wonders, would the veteran want to put himself back through all this hardship? He senses there are those within the Irish camp less than thrilled with Macken's return to the fold and it saddens him to think there would be those unable to locate inspiration in the story.

So be it, he thinks. He has his own patch to mind and happy thoughts to think. In Dublin, he'll ride his second horse, Nabob's Son. There were those who doubted whether the horse would be good enough to compete at Nations Cup level but the summer has brought progress and, he thinks, confirmation that he is worthy of his place. It's important that people know he isn't just a one-horse rider.

After Dublin, he'll head straight for Hong Kong and Lantinus. He expects to find the horse in fine fettle. At the Chio they could only manage 15th, but Aachen came towards the end of a hectic schedule and Lantinus was overdue a long rest. By the time they step into the Olympic arena on August 15, he'll have had six weeks, more than enough time, Lynch expects, to do himself justice.

Although his status as the No 1-ranked horse in the world entitles them to be favourites, Lynch will not be drawn into making bold predictions. The Olympics is the most demanding test of horse and rider and, against the best in the world, all primed for the day, he knows it would be foolish to expect too much. Not from where he has come from anyway and the long, winding road he has travelled.

"All I really want," he says, "is a guy at home drinking his pint in the pub, he's got to know me. He's the most important fella. The guy who doesn't support showjumping. So when he checks the Olympics he might look up my name and say, 'right, when's this guy jumping? I'll watch this mug. See if he's any good.' That's the guy I want to get to."

The ordinary guy in the pub, the guy he used to be himself. Before he embarked on this extraordinary Olympic journey. Before Lantinus.

Quelle : www.independent.ie 

04.08.2008 : Irish Independent

Luckless Lynch and Kuerten fail to make cut in Holland

Denis Lynch and Jessica Kuerten were out of luck at the sixth leg of the Global Champions Tour in Valkenswaard, the Netherlands on Saturday but the German-based Tipperary man lies fourth on the series leaderboard going into the penultimate leg in Arezzo, Italy next month.

Both riders picked up eight faults over the first two rounds of competition and failed to make the cut into the five-horse jump-off in which Germany's Daniel Deusser and Air Jordan Z pipped Britain's Nick Skelton and Arko for the €100,000 top prize.

Lynch and Kuerten now head to Dublin with their Valkenswaard rides Nabab's Son and Castle Forbes Libertina, where they will join Cian O'Connor, Eddie Macken and Edward Doyle in the squad for Friday's Aga Khan Cup.

As soon as the Dublin fixture is over next Sunday, Lynch will fly out to Hong Kong where he will be Ireland's sole equestrian representative at the Olympic Games while his Olympic ride, Lantinus, flies out this Wednesday.

At home yesterday it was Conor Swail and stable-star Gold Digger who stole the limelight for the second week running when seeing off all comers in the penultimate leg of the Citroen/SJI Premier Grand Prix series at Coilog Equestrian Centre in Kilmeague, Co Kildare.

The fixture attracted colossal numbers ahead of next week's big event in Ballsbridge including many returning home from abroad, but they were whittled down to 30 starters after Saturday's qualifying round.

British-based Billy Twomey had to settle for second spot yesterday however as Malahide-based Swail scorched to victory.

Swail was last into the ring and, looking none the worse for the back surgery he underwent earlier in the year, the 36-year-old Down man clinched victory by a 0.4 second margin.

- Louise Parkes

Quelle : www.independent.ie 

08.07.2008 : Eurosport.com

Lynch startet für Irland bei Olympia

Münster (dpa) - Der in Münster lebende Springreiter Denis Lynch wird für Irland bei den Olympischen Spielen starten. Der 32-Jährige Profi wurde nach Angaben des irischen Verbandes nach dem CHIO in Aachen von Nationaltrainer Robert Splaine nominiert.

Lynch, der seit mehr als zehn Jahren in Deutschland lebt, gewann mit seinem Pferd Lantinus zuletzt das Championat von Hamburg sowie die Großen Preise von Doha, La Baule und Rom. Irland hat die Qualifikation für den Team-Wettbewerb verpasst und darf nur einen Einzelreiter nach Hongkong schicken.

Quelle : www.eurosport.de

07.07.2008 : Irishexaminer

Lynch to carry Irish hopes in Beijing

By John Tynan
AS expected, Denis Lynch has been named as Ireland’s individual show jumper at next month’s Olympics.
He confirmed to Ireland manager Robert Splaine that he was the correct choice when he produced another good performance in Thursday’s Samsung Super League Nations Cup in Aachen, Germany, where Ireland finished sixth.

Lynch has demonstrated superb form this year, riding Lantinus to victory in the Global Champions Tour (GCT) grand prix at Qatar, a result that has helped put him top of the GCT standings.

The German-based Tipperary rider also notched up grands prix wins at the Super League shows in La Baule and Rome.

As regards the prospects of an Olympic medal, Lynch declined yesterday to throw hostages to fortune, particularly in such a fickle sport where horses can often dash hopes with untimely injuries. Nevertheless, if he continues his current form, he must be regarded as a medal prospect.

Lynch’s performances with Lantinus, which is owned by Swiss industrialist Thomas Straumann, has put him top of the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses rankings.

The horse will go into quarantine on July 26, and will be flown to the Olympic equestrian facility at Hong Kong early next month.

Ireland has not qualified a team for the Games. However, there is speculation that Ukraine may not take up its place, with Ireland in line to take up the vacant spot if it becomes available.

Quelle : www.irishexaminer.com

07.07.2008 : Irish Independent

Lynch filled with pride after taking Beijing spot

A brilliant second-round clear in Thursday night's Super League Nations Cup in Aachen secured Denis Lynch's selection as Ireland's sole show jumping representative for the Olympic Games In Hong Kong next month.

The 32-year-old German-based rider was confirmed as team manager Robert Splaine's choice, although his run of form in recent months had already suggested he should be firm favourite after Jessica Kuerten opted out.

Lynch was quick to point out yesterday that Ireland would not be represented in Hong Kong if were not for Kuerten, who is currently serving a two-month ban following a positive test result for one of her horses last year.

"Jessica gave us the qualification, and I hope I can represent my country as well as she would have done," Lynch said.

His spectacular rise from relative anonymity to world-class contender has come about in less than a year.

The man from Kilfeacle in Tipperary said yesterday that his success has hinged on the acquisition of a great string of horses by his Swiss patron, Flaminia Straumann, and to the partnership he has built with his top ride Lantinus which was purchased for him last October.

"Lantinus is fantastic -- he's hard as nails and really tough but my four-year-old daughter sat up on him between the two rounds of the Nations Cup last night -- he's got a really gentle character but he fights like hell when he goes into the ring," the rider explained.

"I'm very proud we've been chosen," he added.

- Louise Parkes

Quelle : www.independent.ie

07.07.2008 : Horse Sport Ireland

LYNCH ANNOUNCED AS SPLAINE'S OLYMPIC SHOW JUMPING CHOICE

HORSE Sport Ireland Team Manager Robert Splaine revealed tonight (Thursday) that he will be putting forward Tipperary-born Denis Lynch and the ten year-old gelding 'Lantinus' to the Olympic Council of Ireland as his nomination to fill the sole show jumping spot allocated to Ireland for the 2008 Olympic Games.

Splaine said: "Tonight's superb clear round at the Nations' Cup in Aachen was the final confirmation I needed that we have a really top class combination here that can hold its own with any in the world. Denis and the horse are at the peak of their form, and if they can maintain this until August then Ireland will be very competitive in Hong Kong."

Lynch, who is 32, currently tops the Global Champions' Tour rankings with 'Lantinus' and has racked up an almost unprecedented series of victories in Grands Prix including Doha in Qatar, La Baule in France, and Rome, Italy, together with notable Nations' Cup performances for Ireland in the Samsung Super League.

'Lantinus', who is owned by Switzerland's Flaminia Straumann, is also top of the WBFSH (World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses) rankings. The horse will go into quarantine on July 26, and will be flown to the Olympic equestrian facility at Hong Kong in early August.

Tonight Lynch said from Aachen: "It was always my ambition to jump for Ireland, and I was very fortunate to achieve that. But now to have the honour of representing my country at the Olympics will be a dream come true."

Quelle : www.horsesportireland.ie

30.06.2008 : Irish Independant

Lynch in pole as purple patch continues

Denis Lynch rose to pole position on the Global Champions Tour leaderboard when finishing fourth with Nabab's Son in the latest leg at Monte Carlo, Monaco on Saturday night.

From a starting field off 44, the Tipperary-born rider was one of just four to go through to the third-round jump-off and, typically, went for broke when last into the ring with the 10- year-old gelding.

Speed specialist Richard Spooner, known on the US circuit as 'The Master of Faster', had set a scorching target with Cristallo when clear in 38.99 seconds.

But while Lynch shaved almost a second off that, he left two fences on the floor and so had to settle for the fourth-place prize money of €23,000 instead of the winners purse of €100,000 which went to the American.

"I don't go into the ring to come second!" the laid-back Irishman said afterwards with no regrets about having taken his chances.

"I'm happy with my horse -- he is my third-string ride, Lantinus is first and Upsilon is second, and this fella is not that experienced -- this was the biggest track he has ever jumped" he added.

The fifth round of the lucrative eight-leg series, which offers a total of €5.5 million in prizemoney, takes place in Estoril, Portugal in two weeks time and 31-year-old Lynch could well be on target for the handsome bonus available to the eventual series winner.

He is also rapidly climbing up the World Rankings following a phenomenal purple patch that began with victory in the opening leg of the GCT in Doha, Qatar in April.

- Louise Parkes

Quelle: www.independant.ie

29.06.2008 : RTE.ie

Lynch fourth in Monte Carlo GP

 Two fences down under floodlights at Monte Carlo on Saturday
denied Ireland's Denis Lynch a Grand Prix win with his second-string horse, Flaminia Straumann's 'Nabab's Son'.

Through on a zero score to a four-horse jump-off with the ten year-old bay gelding, the Tipperary-born Lynch went for broke with what turned out to be the fastest round, but paid the penalty with eight jumping faults.

The USA's Richard Spooner and 'Cristallo' claimed the winner's prize of €100,000 while Lynch was rewarded with €23,000 for his fourth place.

More importantly, the result gave the Irish rider vital Global Champions' Tour points and levered him into first place on a score of 47.

Quelle : www.rte.ie

27.06.2008 : Irish Independant

Lynch sets his sights on leaders

Denis Lynch will partner Nabab's Son in the Global Champions Tour (GCT) this Saturday in Monte Carlo where he's in strong contention on the series leaderboard.

Lying third after the last leg in Cannes, the 31-year-old is four points behind leader Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and one adrift of second-placed Judy-Ann Melchior from Belgium going into this fourth round.

The glamorous eight-leg GCT, which concludes in Sao Paolo in October, offers a massive prize-fund of €5.5m and is open to the top 30 riders in the world.

Lynch, then lying 90th, received a special invitation to the opening leg in Doha, Qatar, in April because his horse, Lantinus, had been bought from the series' creator, Dutchman Jan Tops, six months earlier. And Lynch capitalised on the chance by claiming the €100,000 winner's purse and hasn't looked back since.

A spectacular run of recent form has rocketed him up to 34th place in the world rankings this month, and it seems likely that he could make a top-20 spot when the new rankings are issued in July.

Lantinus is currently rated No 1 on the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) rankings.

The partnership look like front-runners for the sole Irish Olympic show jumping spot which was voluntarily vacated by Jessica Kuerten last month, but team manager Robert Splaine is keeping his options open until after next week's major event in Aachen.

Other contenders include Edward Doyle and Cian O'Connors.

- Louise Parkes

Quelle: www.independant.ie

19.06.2008 : RTE.ie

Lantinus tops international rankings

Lantinus, the 10-year-old bay gelding ridden to such success in this year's showjumping season by Ireland's Denis Lynch, is now top of the WBFSH (World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses) rankings.

Lantinus, a Hannoverian by Landkoening and owned by
Switzerland's Flaminia Straumann, has chalked up a notable run of victories under Tipperary-born Lynch.

Grand Prix wins at Doha, La Baule and Rome have been complemented by strong performances in the senior Irish Samsung Super League teams, and the horse has also registered a significant number of top ten places in other major competition classes.

The WBFSH Rankings, produced in conjunction with the FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale), are generally accepted as an essential ingredient of the worldwide sport and breeding industry.

Both riders and breeders highly value the rankings as the standard for comparing the performance of both competitors and horses.

The WBFSH is the only international federation of studbooks for sport horses in the world.

Quelle : www.rte.ie

25.05.2008 : Irish Independent

Lynch completes hat-trick

Denis Lynch produced another sensational result when winning the €130,000 Grand Prix in Rome yesterday afternoon -- just hours after topping the only other competition on the final day of the show.

The 32-year-old Tipperary-born rider, a member of the team that finished joint-fourth in Friday's Super League nations cup, has now recorded a stunning hat-trick of top-level Grand Prix victories in recent weeks.

He created a huge stir when, ranked 90th in the world, he won the first leg of the 2008 Global Champions Tour in Doha, Qatar last month, earning a cool €100,000. He added €28,750 more to his coffers by heading the Grand Prix line-up at La Baule in France two weeks ago.

Once again riding the 10-year-old Lantinus, he came out yesterday to produce the only double-clear of the competition to pocket €42,000, with Jessica Kuerten finishing eighth on Castle Forbes Cadeau Z.

On Friday, Kuerten collected 16 faults when replacing Quibell with Galopin de Biolay due to a last-minute injury.

"Denis always goes out to win," Irish team manager Robert Splaine said of the German-based Irishman, "he's a special man with a special horse."

In Lisbon, Cameron Hanley finished fifth in the Grand Prix while the Irish team was fifth in yesterday's nations' cup.

- Louise Parkes -

Quelle: www.independent.ie

25.05.2008 : Piazzadisiena.com

Gran Prix: the winners quotes

Denis Lynch is not one of too many words right after winning the Grand Prix Città di Roma Loro Piana Trophy aboard Lantinus.
«It was a difficult course but everything went very well. Super I would say. The course was well designed and the footing just perfect. Plus, there was the roman atmosphere…» Lynch declared. «My horse behave like a true jumping machine. He performed very well without loosing his concentration. I’ll be going to Saint Gallen next where I’ll ride my Swiss owner’s horse and where I’ll try to qualify for the Olympics. Then I’ll take a little brake before facing Hong Kong. It was thirty years ago when Eddie Macken scored a fantastic victory for Ireland in roman Grand Prix… It was about time for an Irish rider to grab the podium again» ended Lynch.

«I really enjoyed the Grand Prix – said Belgian rider Dirk Demeersman, who took second place aboard Tymoon Caloo Meerchen – It was a great time. First round has been very difficult, with challenging fences. In the barrage I was inspired by Lynch’s go as he was in before me».
«A few weeks ago I thought of quitting international riding and for this reason I missed La Baule. Too much work, too many things to do… Then I took a week off, I talked to my wife and my owners and I decide to come to Piazza di Siena. If I consider today’s result I’m very happy of my decision to go on».

Gianni Govoni was happy of his performance too. «Each fence on the course was difficult and it was an overall challenging course. Joau d’Opal was a little nervous in the first go but then he was just fantastic in the barrage: we recovered about ten places. My next commitments will be Saint Gallen, Naples and The Netherlands».

Cesare Croce, President of the Italian Equestrian Federation said: «The huge effort of the organizing committee has been well recognized. Piazza di Siena is closer and closer to achieve a perfect balance among sports, fashion and a top media event for Rome. In the future of this competition there are a few things that we will try to improve: the level of the footing is something we are already thinking to work for. Then there is the matter of the footing in the stable as well. I spoke to Gianni Alemanno, major of Rome, that ensured the maximum cooperation.
As soon as we will solve these little imperfections, as German Ludger Beerbaum underlined – Piazza di Siena will be the second best showground in the world. We are happy to take this challenge, especially considering that next years, the Super Leaugue circuit will be formed by six shows, including Calgary. It’s a hard task but we feel ready for it».

Quelle: www.piazzadisiena.com

25.05.2008 : Horse Sport Ireland

LYNCH TRIUMPHS IN ROME GRAND PRIX

IRELAND'S Denis Lynch scored a decisive win this evening (Sunday) in the Grand Prix at Rome, recording the only double clear round of the competition and adding a further 42,000 euro to his 2008 prize money war chest.

The 32 year-old Tipperary-born Lynch was up against the cream of the world's riders, but steered Flaminia Straumann's 11 year-old gelding 'Lantinus' through two tough rounds without dropping a single fence.

Lynch and 'Lantinus' have had an impressive series of wins through the early part of 2008, taking the La Baule, France Grand Prix and its 28,000 euro first prize earlier this month, and scoring their biggest win in April's Doha Grand Prix at Qatar, where they took home 100,000 euro.

Ireland's Jessica Kurten also featured in the top ten at Rome tonight, placing Lady Georgina Forbes's 'Castle Forbes Cadeau Z' in eighth, with one clear round and four faults second time out.

Earlier in Rome, Denis Lynch won this afternoon's (Sunday) Accumulator competition at the five star show in Rome, Italy with the 11 year-old bay gelding 'Upsilon d'Ocquier'.

Lynch, who is now German-based, stopped the clock fractions of a second ahead of Britain's Robert Smith and the legendary Irish-bred 'Mr. Springfield'.

The Irish rider was a member of the Nations' Cup team that took equal fourth place in Friday's Super League competition.

Quelle : Horse Sport Ireland

12.05.2008 : En Garde News

Großer Preis von La Baule für Denis Lynch

Genau elf Tage nach seinem Triumpf im Mercedes-Benz Championat von Hamburg hat der Ire Denis Lynch in Frankreich mit Lantinus den Großen Preis von La Baule gewonnen. Mit einer 43,33 Sekunden schnellen und fehlerlosen Runde im Stechen sicherte sich Lynch ein Preisgeld von 28.750 Euro in der Hauptprüfung des französischen Nationenpreisturniers. Lynch gewann zuvor bereits den Großen Preis von Doha mit dem zehn Jahre alten Hannoveraner von Landkönig aus einer Argentinus-Mutter. Lynch und Lantinus waren bereits am zweiten Platz der irischen Equipe im Nationenpreis am Freitag beteiligt. Hinter dem 34 Jahre alten Profi, der im westfälischen Münster lebt und arbeitet, reihte sich der Franzose Olivier Robert mit Le Galant ein. Bester Deutscher im Grand Prix Longines de la Ville de La Baule war Otto Becker (Albersloh) auf dem achten Rang mit dem Holsteiner Hengst Con Air nach einem Abwurf im Stechen.

Quelle : www.engarde.de

11.05.2008 : Horse Sport Ireland

LYNCH WINS FIVE STAR FRENCH GRAND PRIX

TIPPERARY-born Denis Lynch rounded off a superb Irish weekend at the five-star show in La Baule, France with a decisive win in the Grand Prix this afternoon (Sunday), taking the winner's prize purse of 28,000 euro.

The 31 year-old Irish rider, who had clocked up Ireland's only clear round in Friday's Super League Nations' Cup, was second to go in a nine-horse jump-off this afternoon with Flaminia Straumann's 11 year-old gelding 'Lantinus', and set a blistering pace on a zero penalty score. Only France's Olivier Robert managed to leave all fences standing in pursuit of the Irishman, but had to settle for the runner-up spot when he stopped the clock over two seconds slower than Lynch.

Britain's best hope in the Grand Prix, Nick Skelton and the legendary 'Arko', dropped a fence in their attempt to match Lynch's speed, and ended in third position overall.

Afterwards a jubilant Lynch said: "I wasn't at all sure I was going to win, and I went into the jump-off with the intention of just leaving all the fences up. But the horse is naturally quick, and his finishing time put the rest under pressure. I am absolutely delighted."

Quelle : Horse Sport Ireland

09.05.2008 : Horse Sport Ireland

IRELAND TAKE EQUAL SECOND IN FRENCH SUPER LEAGUE

THE IRISH Nations' Cup team were expected to struggle on their return to the Samsung Super League after a year's absence, but managed to finish a very creditable equal second at La Baule, France this afternoon (Friday).

Ireland recovered from equal sixth position at the halfway stage when a zero score from Tipperary's Denis Lynch, who was last man to go in the final round with Flaminia Straumann's 11 year-old gelding ‘Lantinus’, and a recovery by Cian O'Connor and the Irish-bred ‘Irish Independent Echo Beach’ on four faults, held the Irish score at 20 penalties, enough to share runner-up honours with Switzerland and the United States.

Belgium, with just eight faults in the first round, won the competition on a total of 12 penalties.

Afterwards Irish Team Manager Robert Splaine said: “The boys did a great job. That was a very encouraging result. Edward Doyle was solid with just four faults in each round, and both Shane Carey and Cian O'Connor had one very good round and one not-so-good round. I thought Denis Lynch was extremely unlucky to have a fence down first time out and of course his final clear round clinched it for us. Overall, I am very happy with this performance at La Baule.’’

Nine nations competed today. The Samsung Super League runs over a total of eight legs, including Dublin, and finishes in Barcelona in September. Ireland re-entered the Super League this year after winning the FEI Nations' Cup Series in 2007.

SHOW JUMPING RESULT: CSIO5* LA BAULE FRANCE MAY 8 – 11 2008

SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE OF FRANCE - FEI
Nations' Cup in Two Rounds
Friday, May 9, 2008

1) BELGIUM 12 faults
=2) IRELAND 20 faults
Sequoyah Farms Utopia; Edward Doyle 4.00/4.00
River Foyle (ISH); Capt. Shane Carey 4.00/16.00
Irish Independent Echo Beach (ISH); Cian O'Connor 12.00/4.00
Lantinus; Denis Lynch 4.00/0.00

=2) SWITZERLAND 20 faults
=2) UNITED STATES 20 faults
=5) NETHERLANDS 21 faults
=5) FRANCE 21 faults
7) GREAT BRITAIN 23 faults
8) GERMANY 28 faults
9) SWEDEN 32 faults

Nine nations competed

Quelle : Horse Sport Ireland

01.05.2008 : En Garde News

Lantinus und Denis lieben Mercedes-Benz

Der irische Nationenpreisreiter Denis Lynch hat mit dem zehn Jahre alten Hannoveraner Wallach Lantinus das Mercedes-Benz Championat von Hamburg gewonnen und fährt mit einem funkelnagelneuen Automobil nach Hause. Mit einer strafpunktfreien Runde in 40,45 Sekunden verwies der Ire die us-amerikanischen Kollegen Laura Kraut - die kurz zuvor die Olympic Trials in den USA gewinnen konnte - und Richard Spooner auf die Plätze zwei und drei. Besser geht`s nicht – gleichwohl hatte der Sieger so seine Bedenken gehabt: „Es lief gar nicht so wie ich wollte im Umlauf, so von zwei auf drei, dachte ich es wird schwierig.“ Derlei Besorgnisse plagten seinen kernigen Wallach offenkundig nicht. Ganz im Gegenteil, Lantinus war schon auf dem Weg zum Abreiteplatz hoch motiviert, nahm einen Baumstamm in Augenschein und buckelte auch im Parcours übermütig herum.

Schon vor zwei Jahren hatte der inzwischen zehn Jahre alte Hannoveraner seinem Reiter einen Mercedes-Benz in Hamburg beschert, nur das der Pilot im Sattel damals Gregory Wathelet (Ukraine) hieß. Denis Lynch sicherte sich sein erstes Automobil mit einem Stern bereits im Großen Preis von Dresden im November 2007. Während Lynch seine Derbypläne auf Eis gelegt hat, will Richard Spooner (USA) am Sonntag im 79. Deutschen Spring-Derby angreifen und zwar mit einem Pferd, dass „keine Wassergräben gesprungen ist“, wie der smarte Amerikaner schmunzelnd zum Besten gab. Pako ist ein elf Jahre alter Wallach und hat seine Scheu vor dem kühlen Nass inzwischen verloren….

Seine Konkurrenz ist nicht ohne. Der 25 Jahre alte Brite Robert Whitaker entschied mit Finbarr V die erste Qualifikation zum von Tchibo präsentierten Deutschen Spring-Derby für sich. Gleich dahinter sein Vater John Whitaker und der dritte Brite Robert Smith. Dem Sieger mangelt es auch nicht an Selbstbewußtsein. Die Frage, wen er für den Favoriten für das Deutsche Spring-Derby hält, beantwortete der Whitaker-Spross kurz und knapp: „Me!“ Titelverteidiger Andre Thieme (Plau) ließ es mit seinem niederländischen Wallach Nacorde ganz sachte angehen und wurde mit einem Abwurf 23.. Bester Deutscher in der ersten Derby-Qualifikation war Torben Köhlbrandt aus Fehmarn mit dem Holsteiner Hengst Quebec. Der wurde zwei Jahre lang vom Brasilianer Bernardo Alves geritten und kehrte dann nach Klein Offenseth zur Hengststation Hell zurück und damit auch zu seinem Ausbilder.

Die Anziehungskraft des Derbyplatzes erwies sich am Donnerstag als magnetisch. Erstmals kamen zum Auftakt 14.000 Zuschauer wie Turnierchef Volker Wulff stolz verkünden konnte. Die genossen nicht nur das Picknick-Wetter in sportlicher Kulisse, sondern sahen auch den Sturz der Markenbotschafterin von Mercedes-Benz, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (Thedinghausen). Die Wege der Weltcupsiegerin und ihres Wallachs Le Mans trennten sich nach einem außerplanmäßigen Stopp des Fuchses im Championat, seine Reiterin stand jedoch sofort wieder auf den Füssen und blieb unverletzt. Zum Trost gab es einen riesigen Blumenstrauß von der Mercedes-Benz Niederlassung Hamburg…..

Quelle : www.engarde.de

29.04.2008 : Horse Sport Ireland

HORSE SPORT IRELAND ANNOUNCES SHOW JUMPING SQUAD FOR SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE

29/04/08 ROBERT SPLAINE, Horse Sport Ireland’s Show Jumping Team Manager, has named a squad of ten riders from which he will select the teams for the first three rounds of the Samsung Super League at La Baule in France, Rome, Italy and St. Gallen in Switzerland. In a change this year following the establishment of Horse Sport Ireland as the new Governing Body for the sport, Robert Splaine has sole selection powers.

Ireland was promoted to the Super League at the end of last year, having won the second tier FEI Nations Cup League. The Super League series is reserved for the best eight teams in the world. The other rounds take place in Rotterdam, Aachen, Hickstead, Dublin and Barcelona.<.p>

The squad named today is:
Shane Breen; World Cruise
Marie Burke; Chippison
Capt. Shane Carey; River Foyle
Edward Doyle; Sequoyah Farms Utopia
Cameron Hanley; SIEC Livello, SIEC Royal Star
Marion Hughes; Heritage Transmission
Jessice Kurten; Quibell, Castle Forbes Vivaldo
Denis Lynch; Lantinus, Nabab’s Son, Upsilon d’Ocquier
Cian O’Connor; Irish Independent Echo Beach, Complete
Billy Twomey; Tinka’s Serenade Speaking after the announcement Team Manager Robert Splaine said that the squad had been selected following the viewing of riders in competition and the monitoring of results.

"It is the start of the year and we are really looking forward to being involved in the Super League for 2008. The riders put in a huge effort last year to secure promotion and it is vital that we now pull out all the stops to ensure we stay in the top flight," he said.

Robert Splaine conformed that Ireland would also be competing in the FEI Nations Cup Series. These shows will be Madrid, Copenhagen, Lisbon, Drammen and Falsterbo. Three of these competitions take place in May and are an ideal opportunity to give riders not on the Super League team an opportunity to show their form in advance of the next squad announcement.

"We have devised a very clear plan for the year with the clear goal of maximising our performances in the Super League and these other Nations’ Cups will ensure that riders who miss out on the early Super League selections will have a chance to show what they can do in team competition. It will also provide an opportunity for developmental riders and horses to gain vital experience in Nations’ Cups," he said.

Quelle : Horses Sport Ireland

25.04.2008 : Pferdenachrichten.de

Kemmer und Lynch setzten Zeichen bei Horses & Dreams

Gewinnen ist wichtig,“ so Heike Kemmer ganz unumwunden, „die Marke ist erst Mal nicht so entscheidend.“ Die Marke immerhin lag beim ersten Start mit dem Hannoveraner Bonaparte gleich bei 72 Prozent im Grand Prix de Dressage, den die Mannschafts-Olympiasiegerin und -Weltmeisterin damit für sich entschied. Und das trotz kleiner Mißlichkeiten beim Auftakt. Der Zylinder – unverzichtbares Ausrüstungsteil jeder Dressurreiterin war nicht da – kurzerhand fragte Heike Kemmer an einem Stand am Dressurplatz nach. Dort schaute man kurz ins Sortiment, griff einmal zu und erwischte prompt eine passende und in jeder Hinsicht kleidsame Kopfbedeckung…..Für die Reiterin, die bereits Gold bei den Europameisterschaften in Hagen a. T.W. 2005 gewann und diesen Erfolgen Olympia- und WM-Gold folgen ließ, kommt es ganz klar darauf an, die Saison gut zu beginnen und sich für die weiteren Highlights der Saison zu steigern. Bei Horses & Dreams 2008 nahm das Projekt seinen Verlauf.Hinter der Dressurreiterin aus Winsen platzierte sich ein weiteres deutsches Championatskadermitglied – Ellen Schulten-Baumer (Rheinberg) mit Donatha S.  Denis Lynch, Springreiter aus Irland mit Wohnsitz in Münster, entschied die zweite Qualifikation der Youngster-Tour mit dem achtjährigen Westfalen Johnny Blunt für sich. „Er hat unglaublich viel Vermögen und arbeitet meistens mit – er ist ein Westfale,“ witzelte der Sieger des Großen Preises von Doha. Lynch hat für Horses & Dreams gleich zwei Grand Prix-Pferde mitgebracht: Shamrock und auch Upsilon d`Ocquir. „Das hat sich als klug erwiesen für die großen Turniere, denn man muss immer schauen wie die Pferde drauf sind.“ Turnierchef Ullrich Kasselmann durfte sich über Scharen von Besuchern auch am Freitag freuen. Magnetische Anziehungskraft entwickelte bereits die Ausstellung mit dem Schwerpunktthema Amerika aber auch einem großen Mode- und Lifestylebereich.

Quelle : Pferdenachrichten.de

24.04.2008 : Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung

Ein Ex-Jockey will Hagen erobern

Galoppsport war seine erste Liebe, dann sattelte er um und versuchte sein Glück als Springreiter. Mit großem Erfolg. Denis Lynch ist der Shootingstar der Szene und am Wochenende mit vielen namhaften Pferdesportlern beim internationalen Turnier Horses & Dreams in Hagen im Einsatz. In den Dressurwettbewerben sind auf dem Hof Kasselmann alle A-Kader-Reiter außer Klaus Husenbeth am Start.

In Hagen gefordert: Dressur-Queen Isabell Werth, am Boberg gern gesehen.Der in Münster lebende Lynch machte erst vor kurzem auf sich aufmerksam, als er in Doha den mit 300000 Euro dotierten Großen Preis von Katar bei der ersten Etappe der weltweit höchstdotierten Springsport-Serie für sich entschied. Im Stechen setzte sich der 31-Jährige mit dem zehn Jahre alten Hannoveraner Wallach Lantinus gegen fünf Konkurrenten durch. Ärgster Widersacher war Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst, der auf dem zehn Jahre alten Holsteiner Lord Luis den zweiten Rang belegte. Auch Pollmann-Schweckhorst wird am Borgberg reiten.

Der in Tipperary aufgewachsene Ire ritt anfangs „Steeplechase“, also Hindernisrennen. Erst einige Verletzungen, mehr aber noch sein gesunder Appetit brachten ihn zum Springsport. Als er zu schwer wurde, musste er seine Karriere als Jockey beenden. In Deutschland war der Stall von Peter und Helena Weinberg seine erste Station. Heute ist der Sohn eines Berufsmusikers in Münster beheimatet. Hier hat der Familienvater ein Zuhause gefunden und vor wenigen Jahren in der Familie Straumann auch einen Schweizer Sponsor. Lynch verfügt mit dem belgischen Wallach Upsilon d’Ocquier und dem Hannoveraner Wallach Lantinus über zwei echte Spitzenpferde im internationalen Springsport.

Dort sind auch die bei Fürstenau lebende Luciana Diniz, der Österreicher Thomas Frühmann, der Niederländer Arne van Heel und die Amerikaner Peter Wylde und Will Simpson angesiedelt, die am Wochenende in Hagen reiten. Aus deutscher Sicht machen sich Franke Sloothaak, Christian Ahlmann, Marco Kutscher, Rene Tebbel oder Toni Haßmann Hoffnungen auf Siege in den Springreiterwettbewerben. Aus der Region stellt der RuF Rulle mit Julia Brauweiler, Karl Brocks, Karin Ernsting-Engemann und Annette Hülsmann gleich vier Teilnehmer. Aus Bad Essen kommt die erfolgreiche Amazone Eva Bitter.

In der Dressur hat Hagen absolute Weltklasse zu bieten. Bundestrainer Holger Schmezer schickt seinen Championatskader mit Olympiasiegerin Isabell Werth an der Spitze an den Start. Schließlich geht es darum, sich Eindrücke von der Form der Kandidaten für die Olympischen Spiele zu verschaffen. Eine interessante Paarung ist das Duo Klaus-Martin Rath und Sterntaler. Sporthilfe-Chefin Ann-Kathrin Linsenhoff hat ihrem Stiefsohn ihr Weltklassepferd für die Olympia-Qualifikation zur Verfügung gestellt. Einen ersten Start des viel versprechenden Paares soll es in Hagen geben. Sterntaler gilt als eines der besten Pferde der Welt. Mit dem 13-jährigen Oldenburger Wallach ist Linsenhoff 2005 Team-Europameisterin geworden. Gespannt sein darf man aus der Sicht des Gastgebers auf das Abschneiden von Bianca Kasselmann, die im letzten Jahr im Championat der Berufsreiter Zweite wurde, sowie Insa Hansen und Miriam Henschke.

Quelle : Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung

16.04.2008 : Westfälischer Anzeiger

Mit Lynch, Ehning und wohl auch Beerbaum

Vier Reiter aus den Top 10 der Weltrangliste werden erwartet
Zuletzt in Doha/Qatar – Der Ire gewinnt dort den Großen Preis

16.04.2008 • Bei ihren Turnierplanungen lassen die Spitzenkräfte der Szene durchaus schon einmal die Zeit für sich spielen und entscheiden sich bei kleineren Zwischenstationen erst kurz vor dem Turnierbeginn für einen Start. Das betrifft auch das Turnier in Lenklar.
Ludger Beerbaum ließ sich bis zum Montag noch nicht genau festlegen: "Sind sie mir nicht böse, aber ich weiß es erst am Dienstagmorgen", ließ der Branchenführer der vergangenen zwei Jahrzehnte wissen, bekräftigte aber noch einmal: "Die Wahrscheinlichkeit ist aber sehr hoch."
Es wäre das zweite Mal nach 2007, dass der 44-Jährige aus Riesenbeck in Werne aufsatteln wird. Momentan ist die Aufregung um Coupe de Couer, seine neue Olympiahoffnung, recht groß. Erst seit dem Wochenende arbeitet Beerbaum mit dem Schimmel, den seine Sponsorin von Rasha Hareb erwarb und damit verhinderte, dass der bisher unter René Tebell vorgestellte Hengst ins Ausland geht – und damit dem deutschen Sport verloren.
Nach Jessica Kürten, Christian Ahlmann und voraussichtlich Beerbaum hat mit Marcus Ehning der vierte Reiter aus den Top 10 der Weltrangliste seinen Start in Werne angekündigt. Der Neunte des aktuellen Rankings kam ebenfalls erst in der Nacht von Samstag auf Sonntag aus Doha/Katar von der Global Champions Tour zurück und saß am Sonntag Nachmittag bei einem kleineren Turnier in Bottrop bereits wieder im Sattel.
Der Olympiasieger von 2000 und mehrmalige Mannschafts-Europameister aus Borken wird für einen Tag in Werne antreten. Am Freitag stellt er 7- und 8-jährige Youngster in den ersten schweren Springen des Turniers vor. Am Turniersamstag wird er so ziemlich alle sportlichen Aktivitäten ruhen lassen: An diesem 19. April wird Marcus Ehning 34 Jahre jung.
Ebenfalls in Bottrop bekam Lutz Gripshöver am Sonntag die Zusage von Denis Lynch. Der Ire aus Tipperary, der seit 1994 in Deutschland lebt und einen Stall in Münster betreibt, war bereits in den vergangenen Jahren Dauergast in Lenklar. Dieses Mal kommt er als Sieger des Großen Preises von Dohar/Qatar, bei dem sich Lynch am vergangenen Samstag mit dem 10-jährigen Hannoveraner Lantinus gegen die versammelte Weltelite durchsetzte.
Mit dem Landkönig-Sohn sicherte sich der inzwischen 90. der Weltrangliste (Tendenz steigend) die 100 000 Euro Siegprämie vor Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst auf Lord Luis und vor dem Schweizer Steve Guerdat mit Jalisca Solier. Noch ist nicht genau geplant, welche Wettbewerbe Denis Lynch in Werne bestreiten wird.

Quelle : Westfälischer Anzeiger

16.04.2008 : En Garde News

Deutsches Spring- und Dressur-Derby – der Diamant im Pferdesportkalender

Dort haben sie alle ein „Date“, die internationalen Springreiter: In Hamburg- Klein Flottbek wird vom 1. bis 4. Mai ein fröhliches „Get-Together“ der Reitsportszene zelebriert, wenn Tchibo das 79. Deutsche Spring-Derby präsentiert. Das beginnt schon am Donnerstag, dem 1. Mai, mit den beiden ersten Herausforderungen im Parcours – dem Mercedes-Benz Championat von Hamburg und der ersten Qualifikation zum Deutschen Spring-Derby. Immerhin geht es dabei um viel – zum einen um den ersten Check-Up in Sachen Spring-Derby, zum anderen um eine der kostbarsten Prüfungen überhaupt im Hamburger Programm – das mit insgesamt rund 60.000 Euro dotierte Mercedes-Benz Championat, einem klassischen schweren Springen mit Stechen.

Wer dort gewinnt, fährt nicht allein nach Hause, sondern darf künftig einen Mercedes-Benz sein eigen nennen. Begehrlichkeiten weckt jedoch nicht nur das funkelnagelneue Automobil, sondern auch der Qualifikationsstatus des Championates. Die besten fünf Teilnehmer – sofern nicht schon vorqualifiziert – holen sich dort das „Eintrittsticket“ für den Großen Preis von Hamburg am Samstag, der zugleich 2. Etappe der GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR, presented by CN/CN WorldWide, ist.

Wer mischt mit?
Der Verlockung des CSI4*/ CSI5* in Hamburg widersteht kaum einer der Spitzenreiter. So sind Acht aus den Top-Ten der aktuellen Springreiter-Weltrangliste im Derby-Park dabei. Mit Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (Thedinghausen), Markus Fuchs (Schweiz), Jessica Kürten (Irland), Ludger Beerbaum (Riesenbeck) und Christian Ahlmann (Marl) die Nummer eins bis fünf der Welt. Mit Albert Zoer (Niederlande), Marcus Ehning (Borken) und Michael Whitaker (Großbritannien) zudem die Nummer sieben, neun und zehn des internationalen Rankings, insgesamt 22 Kandidaten aus den Top-30 der Weltrangliste.

Meeting! Weltmeister trifft Olympiasieger
Darunter Sportheroen wie Weltmeister Jos Lansink (Belgien) und Mannschafts-Weltmeister Gerco Schröder (Niederlande), der in Deutschland in dem Ruf steht, mit Vorliebe Autos zu „exportieren“. Hamburgs Deutsches Spring-Derby birgt aber auch ein Wiedersehen mit dem Olympiasieger und dreimaligen Weltcup-Gewinner Rodrigo Pessoa (Brasilien), der sich in Deutschland mehrere Jahre buchstäblich rar gemacht hat und nun in Hamburg dabei sein wird.

Zu den spannendsten Fragen gehört die, wer sich denn am Sonntag, dem 4. Mai, auch in das mit 150.000 Euro dotierte Deutsche Spring-Derby, die erste von sechs Etappen der RIDERS TOUR, traut. Und da dürfen sich die Zuschauer auf einige neue Gesichter freuen. Den Derby-Favoriten Andre Thieme (Plau), Toni Haßmann (Lienen) und Ludger Beerbaum droht allerhand Konkurrenz. So ist Markus Fuchs fest entschlossen, erneut im 1230 Meter langen Kurs anzugreifen, vor allem aber die Briten und Iren stellen ein zahlenmäßig großes Kontingent. Ohnehin scheint das Reiten eines Derbys in „irischen und angelsächsischen Kreisen“ zur reiterlichen Grundausbildung zu gehören. Der Ire Denis Lynch, gerade erst Gewinner des Großen Preises von Quatar, fand die Frage nach dem Derbyeinsatz ganz ungewöhnlich: „Ja klar reite ich das. Ist doch prima. Ich war auch schon in Hickstead platziert.“ Sein Partner dabei wird der Westfalen-Wallach Johnny Blunt sein, der vor allem über Eines verfügt – scheinbar grenzenloses Springvermögen. Mit im Aufgebot sind auch Lynch`s Landsleute Billy Twomey und Cameron Hanley.

Getoppt wird die irische „Derby-Equipe“ noch von den Briten. Geoff Billington, Sieger des Derbys in Hickstead 2007, wird begleitet von „Mr. Horsesport“ John Whitaker, seinem Sohn Robert, Tim Gredley, Andrew Mizon und Richard Robinson, der ja bereits 2007 Rang drei im Deutschen Spring-Derby belegte. Neu im Aufgebot für die wohl ungewöhnlichste Springprüfung sind die US-Amerikaner Laura Kraut und Richard Spooner – beide in etlichen Nationenpreisen erfahren – und der Schweizer Shooting-Star Steve Guerdat.

Drei ist die „magische Zahl“ des Deutschen Dressur-Derbys
Was den Springreitern Recht ist, mögen sich auch die Dressurasse nicht entgehen lassen. Gleich drei Damen aus dem Championatskader der erfolgreichsten Olympischen Disziplin Deutschlands mischen beim von Miele präsentierten 48. Deutschen Dressur-Derby mit. Alle drei konnten das Blaue Band des Derbysieges bereits aus Hamburg entführen: Heike Kemmer Winsen), Isabell Werth (Rheinberg) und Ellen Schulten-Baumer (Rheinberg) und auf diesem Trio liegt der größte Erwartungsdruck. Schulten-Baumer gewann 2007 das Deutsche Dressur-Derby und hat somit einen Titel zu verteidigen. Wenn das nicht Vorfreude schafft bei den Fans von Piaffen, Pirouetten & Passagen.

Eine ganz stattliche Reihe von Mitbewerbern gilt es im Auge zu behalten, etwa Australiens Olympiakandidatin Kristy Oatley, die Hamburgerin Anja Hermelink und den Brandenburger Favoriten Jochen Vetters (Stahnsdorf) – alle bereits im Deutschen Dressur-Derby platziert….
Die Drei markiert auch die Zahl von Pferden und Reitern für das Derby-Finale im Pferdewechsel. Der Weg dorthin führt über den Dressur Grand Prix am Freitag ab 09.00 Uhr. Sport im Viereck, das gibt es gleich fünf Mal in Hamburg, denn neben den großen Championatsklassikern – Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special und Grand Prix Kür – wird mit dem Prix St. Georges und der Intermediaire I auch ein feines Angebot für die Nachwuchscracks geschaffen.

Sehen und gesehen werden,…
…das gilt in doppelter Hinsicht: Die Stars im Sattel sind im Derbypark in Hamburg zu sehen, aber auch in buchstäblich weiter Ferne, denn ARD, NDR und Eurosport sorgen dafür, dass der Spitzensport aus der Hansestadt ein Top-TV-Ereignis ist. Gesehen werden geht also auch ganz problemlos vom 1. bis 4. Mai: Die Sendezeiten im Überblick:

Donnerstag, 1. Mai, 14.15 – 16.30 Uhr, NDR Sportclub LIVE,
u. a. mit dem Mercedes-Benz Championat von Hamburg
Freitag, 2. Mai, 15.15 - 17.10 Uhr, NDR Sportclub LIVE,
da gibt es z.B. die 2. Derby-Qualifikation – Preis der Deutschen Kreditbank

Samstag, 3. Mai, 15.00 – 17.00 Uhr, NDR Sportclub live,
z.B. mit dem Großen Preis von Hamburg, GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR, presented by CN/ CN WorldWide

Samstag, 3. Mai ab 18.45 Uhr Eurosport,
GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR in Hamburg

Sonntag, 4. Mai, 15.35 -16.55 Uhr, ARD Sportschau live
mit der ersten RIDERS TOUR-Etappe Deutsches Spring-Derby

Informationen über den Turnierklassiker in Hamburg Klein Flottbek gibt es unter www.engarde.de in der Rubrik Events.
Das Kartentelefon ist unter Telefon 040 - 82 64 22 erreichbar. (Montag bis Donnerstag von 11.00 bis 16.00 Uhr). 

Quelle : www.engarde.de