TIPPERARY’S Denis Lynch was certainly on fine form at the five-star Helsinki International Horse Show over the weekend, which hosted a leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup. Following a win at Gothenburg the previous week, Lynch once again demonstrated his talent and consistency at the top level in Helsinki when claiming two five-star wins and a runner-up placing with Katja, as well as a podium finish with Vistogrand and a top-10 position in the Grand Prix with Chicago.
Friday saw Lynch ride the 11-year-old mare Katja (Etoulon x Otangelo) into the top spot in the five-star 1.45m two-phase class. From a start list of 33, there were 28 combinations who jumped clear in the first round, but five of those retired second time out. Of those who completed the course, 17 maintained their clean sheet, with time being the deciding factor. Lynch’s second phase time of 26.67 seconds proved unbeatable, with his nearest challenger Mans Thijssen (NED) on Nero Z finishing over two seconds behind in 28.81 in the runner-up position, while Kevin Staut (FRA) on Kannonqulan placed third in 29.12.
Lynch was back on the podium on Friday evening, when he rode Vistogrand into third place in the five-star 1.50m Winning Round class. Here, 36 combinations took on the challenge, with 15 of them jumping clear in round one. The best 10 of these proceeded to jump again, with one combination withdrawing. Of the remaining nine, six kept the poles intact and the audience were on the edge of their seats, as Italy’s Giampiero Garofalo rode Lambrusco into first place in a time of 38.57, followed just a fraction behind by Robert Whitaker (GBR) on Equine America Gentleman vh Veldhof in second (38.58), with Lynch slotting into third in 38.75.
Speed win
Lynch and Katja then went on to win Saturday’s five-star 1.45m speed class from 37 starters, 18 of whom jumped clear. Lynch took the speed element seriously and stopped the clock in a speedy 55.26 - more than two seconds ahead of Italian runner-up Garofalo on Kadessa Z, who finished in 57.62. French man Julien Anquetin filled third place with Kornet Chavannais in 57.85.
Commenting on this success, Lynch said afterwards: “The course was good and Katja felt really good. As always, she’s very competitive and she likes to go at a good pace. It really suits her to go that pace and she enjoys it, so it went to plan. There are things I’m not in control of, so the only things I can control (are to) ride well, make sure I ride it the way she needs to be ridden, and then after that what will be will be.”
Of the venue, Lynch said: “For the arena, credit to the organisers, everything fits under one roof and is fantastic, very well done.”
The five-star 1.55m Helsinki Grand Prix on Saturday evening saw Lynch finish eighth on board Chicago with a double clear in a jump-off time of 38.65. The win went to Eiken Sato (JPN) on Chadellano JRA in a very fast time of 32.89, ahead of Staut (FRA) on Kannonqulan in second (33.59) and Garofalo (ITA) on Querido van’t Ruytershof in third (35.54).
Lynch’s podium run continued on Sunday morning, when he and Katja took the runner-up position in the five-star 1.45m speed class - only being bettered by Jone Illi, who took a home win for Finland on board Caprivi 23, clocking 56.57. Lynch was less than a second behind in 57.56, while Germany’s Johanna Beckmann completed the podium with Alphajet DB in third (60.20).
The 1.60m Longines FEI Jumping World Cup class concluded the show on Sunday afternoon and saw 39 combinations go to post, with just seven jumping clear in the first round for the chance to jump again. Five combinations managed to complete double clear rounds, the fastest being Steve Guerdat (SUI) on Albfuehren’s Iashin Sitte, who claimed the €62,500 top prize in 38 seconds exactly. Just 0.04 seconds behind, Norway’s Oda Charlotte Lyngvaer and Carabella vd Neyen Z had to settle for second place in 38.04, securing them the €50,000 runner-up prize, while Viktor Daem (BEL) on Kavaliers Blue were third in 42.49 to take home €37,500. Lynch finished outside the top 10 on this occasion.