Lynch takes glory in St Tropez as Kenny loses American patron

Already in the money after a third-place finish with GC Chopin's Bushi on Thursday, the 44-year-old Tipperary man steered the 13-year-old stallion Cristello through the timers in 39.14 seconds when third to go in a nine-horse jump-off.

Ireland holds six of the top-50 places in the current world showjumping rankings and Lynch is in 29th spot. But there was bad news yesterday from the highest-placed Irishman, seventh-placed Darragh Kenny, who confirmed the dissolution of his partnership with American patron, Ann Thompson.

She provided the 32-year-old Offaly man with top horses including Balou de Reventon, Classic Dream, Important de Muze and Romeo 88.

In a 15-day period last summer, Kenny won €250,000 with the brilliant Balou alone, and the pair played a pivotal role when Ireland qualified for the Olympics with victory at the Longines FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona in October.

In a joint statement, Thompson said Covid-19 has led to her reassessing her level of involvement in the sport. She intends to turn her focus to animal rescue, while Kenny stated he understands her decision.

Meanwhile, at Coilog Equestrian Centre in Kildare, Liam O'Meara and Mr Coolcaum won the latest leg of the National Grand Prix series.