EYES ON CHINA GOLD - Qatar Olympic Committee

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o o o o o o o o o STARS IN QATAR WHEN IRISH EYES ARE SMILING Denis Lynch took the show jumping world by storm when he won he won the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in Doha. Now, he just can’t stop winning Show Jumper Denis Lynch is riding on the crest of a wave. In April, the Irishman, then placed 90th in the International Equestrian Federation rankings, astonished the equine world when he guided his 10-year-old wonder horse ‘Lantinus 3’ to victory in the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix event in Doha. Lynch and Lantinus have since recorded an impressive series of wins, taking the Grand Prix at La Baule, France and the Grand Prix at Rome, where he recorded the only double clear round of the competition. But it’s the Doha win in the first leg of the prestigious Global Champions Tour, which really made his rivals sit up and take notice. The unassuming 32-year-old is not one to blow his own trumpet, but the big prize money win was all the more remarkable since the horse and rider have only worked together since October 2007. Last year, the Swiss industrialist Thomas Straumann bought the gelding from Jan Tops, the driving force behind the Global Champions Tour. It was Tops who invited the Germany-based Lynch to take part in the event. Lynch responded to the challenge by resting Lantinus for six weeks ahead of the competition – and the rest is history. “It’s been a dream come true finding this horse and having this success has been brilliant,” says Lynch. “ It was my first time in Doha, but it was a fantastic experience - there was a great atmosphere and the course and facilities were first class.” Arriving in Doha on the Wednesday before the competition for a day of ‘schooling’ around the unique, oval Qatar Equestrian Federation arena, Lynch and Lantinus had time to adjust and observe their new environment. “The stables were air-conditioned and you couldn’t get any better anywhere in the world,” says Lynch. “For the grooms that go with 24 QatarSport Q3.08
the horses, it’s very important that there are permanent stables and air conditioning, just as there will be in Hong Kong, China for the Olympic Games. On the competition nights, the air temperature was quite warm, but that was no problem for Lantinus.” In fact, nothing appeared to unsettle the horse in Doha and for those looking for clues to the Grand Prix final on Saturday, Lynch and Lantinus signaled their potential when coming second in the 1.50m jump-off class. “On the Friday, I wasn’t trying to win,” Lynch confides. “I wanted to keep some speed and power for Saturday.” On the night of the final - with €100,000 at stake for the winner - Lynch used this reserve power to stunning affect. After two clear rounds, Lynch qualified for a third round jump off against four other riders. Riding second of the five, he calculated that another clear round would put him in a medal position. “If you get a clear round, you’re always in with chance of getting in the top three. You need to think realistically, so be quick, but don’t be headstrong. On the last run I was quick and thought I’d done a good job, but I wasn’t at all sure I was going to win. 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. That’s my tactic but I guess everyone knows it by now!” Germany’s Alois Pollman-Schweckhorst on Lord Luis also put in a clear round, but Lynch came home almost half a second faster to secure his biggest prize to date. If Doha proved he has the right stuff to succeed under pressure, Lynch is also quick to give praise to Lantinus. “This horse is so special,” he says. “He has the scope and the strength and a brilliant temperament. At first, in a lot of situations he was ‘overbrave’ and went more quickly than I wanted, which was a handicap. My job is to keep him under control and believe in the way he believes in himself. He’s a big horse – 1.80 metres – and he really wants to run.” This positive impression was evidently shared by equine admirers in Qatar. After the race, a tempting offer of over €5 million was put before the horse’s owner. However, according to Lynch, Mr Straumann bought Lantinus for sport, not for profit. “Lantinus was bought to jump and Thomas loves him,” says Lynch. Indeed, a real possibility exists that the duo could represent Ireland at the Beijing Olympics – an act of generosity from the Swiss owner, which would be wellreceived in Tipperary, the rural Irish county where Lynch was brought up. The same rider and horse combination should also return to Doha for next year’s final of the Global Champions Tour when a staggering €2.5 million will be on offer to the 25 qualifiers. The choice of Doha for the final, which was announced after the Grand Prix in Doha, demonstrated just how well the Qatar Equestrian Federation organised the event but also the keen equine interest of Qatar’s ruling family and the Qatari people. “The development of show jumping in the Middle east is fantastic. It’s the way forward... not just because I won in Doha!” Left: Irishman Denis Lynch, riding Lantinus, clears another hurdle at the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in Doha. Right: Lynch celebrates victory in the local style. Lynch himself is enthusiastic about the sport’s development in the region and looks forward his return to Doha next year. “The development of show jumping in the Middle East is fantastic. It’s the way forward and good for our sport in general - not just because I won in Doha! “The Middle East brings purchasing power to the industry, which keeps the bloodstock prices up, which is good for the sport. “But it also brings a great hospitality and positive mentality to the sport. The racing world has been in the Middle East for some time and now show jumping has arrived. I really like it and others riders feel the same.” As for the skills of the local riders, Lynch is impressed. “I was quite amazed by the riding standards. In general, they have the same competitive minds that we do. It makes no difference what country you’re from – everyone has an individual style, and the best of them believe in their style.” In the light of his Doha performance, Lynch has every right to be confident about the future with Lantinus. “There will definitely be more big wins. Since April last year, he has won more than €500,000. He is one of best horses in world.” Q3.08 QatarSport 25
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EYES ON CHINA GOLD - Qatar Olympic Committee

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