Deeply saddened by Denis Lynch drug test failure

I thought my enjoyment of olympic show jumping was irreperably harmed after the Cian O'Conor affair last time around, but I found myself really enjoying the team show juping event. When the announcement was made regarding Denis Lynch I was absolutely sickened and I'm not sure that my faith in show jumpers (not just Irish) isn't irreperably damaged now.

It must be hard to keep on top of all the prohibited substances however, and the ability to carry out private test to reassure yourself that your horse is clean, or if not, find out what the problem is, would help prevent innocent mistakes. Having said that, Lantinus was tested on arriving in Hong Kong and tested negative.

Maybe we need to find a way of making keeping sport clean a group responsibility. What if counties with olympic athletes testing positive are banned from the following olympics and sports with more than four countries proving positive have their sport dropped from the following olympics? I know that would be hugely unfair on a lot of athletes, but the current system is clearly not keeping drugs out of sport. Or do we have to accept that drug testing will always be one step behind drug taking?

Mad Dog on a Roll

Not content with winning the 1.10m Grand Prix at White's Cross at the weekend, and picking up over €600 in prize money, he also won the Horse Sport Ireland Amateur Final and a georgeous new Prestige Saddle. Katy jumped very well too and only missed out on a prize when I put her into the double on a really bad stride for 4 faults. The day all went by in a bit of daze, rushing between rings and wondering whether I was being over ambitious riding MD in two big classes, but he is a star and covered up all my mistakes.

Both horses on holidays for bit now in a big field of grass.

Mad Dog wins Grand Prix at National Amateur Championships

Mad Dog (aka Pitts Special) gave me the ride of my life to win the Grand Prix at the Outdoor Amatuer Championships yesterday. It's hard to describe the feeling when both you and your horse know each others every thought and you are both in the zone. You set off and get into this rhythm where each fence just comes and goes and both of you are totally focused on jumping this one and before landing are already going for the next one. He has never jumped with such confidence and a big track too. It was a privilege to ride him.

He won me 3 hours training with Olive Clarke, one of Ireland's up and coming show jumpers, and enough vouchers for a stereo system for the horse lorry (for those very long journeys). Thanks Mad Dog.



Sister Katy didn't do so bad either. A confident and fastish clear round in the Speed Derby over a very long track earned her a third place.