Showjumper Denis Lynch will not represent Ireland at this summer’s Olympics after his horse Lantinus 3 failed a hypersensitivity test.
Denis and Billy Twomey were named as individuals for London last Tuesday (3 July) by Irish showjumping team manager Robert Splaine, after the country failed to secure a team place.
But after his horse, Lantinus 3, failed the test while competing in the Nations Cup in Aachen last week (5-6 July), Denis’s nomination has been withdrawn by Horse Sport Ireland.
The 14-year-old gelding was disqualified from the competition. It was the third time one of Denis’s horses had failed a test in 12 months – the same thing happened at the Rio Global Champions Tour in September with All Inclusive NRW and at last year’s Aachen with Lord Luis.
Horse Sport Ireland today (Monday 9 July) confirmed the news and said it had asked Robert Splaine to put forward another combination from his list of reserves to fill the second place individual place.
Denis was also disqualified from the last Olympics in Beijing after Lantinus tested positive for the banned substance capsaicin.
In a statement he said: “Lantinus was examined two hours prior to competing in the Nations Cup on Thursday. While a small wound on the left fore leg and an abrasion on the right hind leg sustained in the previous days’ competition were identified, these were not associated with any hypersensitivity or abnormalities in the thermographic examination.
“Lantinus was re-examined again after competing in both rounds on Thursday and again on Friday morning at 8.30am. In summary, the areas of sensitivity highlighted above on the left forelimb and on the hind limbs had increased after Lantinus had competed. We were advised that Lantinus was now considered hypersensitive within FEI Veterinary Regulations and Lantinus was disqualified by the attending FEI vets.
“At no stage, was there any inference that the hypersensitivity was anything other than natural occurring. I feel this is very important to clarify and I would also like to state for the record that I fully support all measures regarding hypersensitivity implemented by the FEI.”
