Scoring a win, two seconds and a total of 30 World Cup points, the Irish contingent of Denis Lynch, Darragh Kenny, Billy Twomey and Shane Breen got many treats during a lively Halloween weekend at the World Cup show in Lyon, France.

Having followed this World Cup series for almost 40 years, I don’t think I have ever seen a stronger start list than that which turned out here in the enthusiastic French city. The group of 40 included six former Longines world number one riders along with the full French Olympic gold medal team in Rio. But experienced German ace course builder Frank Rothenburger perfectly read the challenge and allowed just eight through to a scintillating jump-off in the Longines World Cup Grand Prix.

Included in that group which survived over a bold, technical and combination-rich track were both Shane Breen and Denis Lynch for Ireland. France was in with three while Germany, Italy and Switzerland each had one. Darragh Kenny had the second fastest four on Go Easy de Muse for 10th place, while Billy Twomey retired when last to go on Diaghilev.

JUMP-OFF

Twist, gallop, turn, gallop – Rothenburger was at it again with a rider-testing jump-off track that constantly brought roars from the packed arena. Home favourite Olivier Robert did not disappoint as he opened with a clear in 44.96. Shane Breen and Golden Hawk came back with eight for eventual seventh place. But next in for Ireland, Denis Lynch threw down a new gauntlet with a perfectly paced clear in 44.57 on the Argentinus stallion All Star 5.

But the Tipperary man’s lead was short-lived as Switzerland’s very much in-form Helsinki winner Romain Duguet shaved almost a full second off for a new target of 43.68. It was then down to who could be most brave.

Germany’s Daniel Deusser on the so very talented Casini mare Equita, Van T Zorgvliet showed both talent and metal as he powered home in 42.93. Kevin Staut gave it all to win it back for the home side, but went out on four. Dublin Grand Prix star Lorenzo de Luca cut inside to the upright, but it was still not enough. This wonderful new life in the Italian team had to settle for third in 43.80. Show jumping does not get better than this.

Denis picked up 13 points for fourth; Shane got 10 for seventh and is now ninth on the Longines qualification leader board as the series heads for Verona. Bringing the Irish points haul up to 30 was a further seven from Darragh Kenny in 10th place.

SUCCESS

Kenny began Ireland’s run of success when placing a good second in Friday night’s Grand Prix on the McCahill family’s Go Easy de Muze behind Germany’s Tobias Meyer on the 14-year-old mare Cathleen. Shane Breen and Golden Hawk came eighth in that. The Joe Flynn-bred Irish horse Ardcolum Duke (ISH)(TIH) took up the green flag on Saturday, as he and Billy Twomey demolished a quality field to win the two-phase. Following on from that was a superb performance by Denis Lynch in Saturday evening’s Equita Masters. Through to a 10-horse jump-off with All Star and drawn seventh to go, he had to take on the brilliant time set by Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet, but had to be content with another Irish runner-up prize.

All in all, it was a quality Irish outing at this top show. Let’s hope the fire keeps burning this weekend as Lynch, Bertram Allen and Cian O’Connor line out in the rich Global Champions Tour Final at Doha. Between his overall individual standing and his membership of the leading Global Champions League team, Bertram Allen could be in line for a good payday there.