EYES ON CHINA GOLD - Qatar Olympic Committee

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