Source:  News Release/Colin McClelland

LYNCH FINISHES SIXTH IN GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR SERIES

 DESPITE failing to make the cut for the jump-off in the final round of the Global Champions Tour series in Abu Dhabi Saturday night Tipperary's Denis Lynch nevertheless finished in sixth place of the overall rankings and collected a 33,750 euro cheque as part of the million euro pay-out for the top 18 of the 124 riders who took part.

Cork's Billy Twomey was best of the Irish in the Global Champions Grand Prix at Abu Dhabi, finishing in 13th place with Sue Davies's mare Tinka's Serenade after a single fault in the second round, picking up 4,000 euro in prize money. Twomey took 12th place in the 2011 Series rankings, for which he received 10,000 euro. 

Lynch, with Thomas Straumann's gelding Lantinus, went through clear to the second round, but faulted twice there to place 18th for 3,000 euro. However, the points gained were enough to stop him sliding more than one place from his previous fifth position in the 2011 series rankings.

The Grand Prix was won by France's Roger-Yves Bost with Ideal de la Loge, one of only six to achieve three clear rounds, claiming the 130,000 euro first prize. However, Australia's Edwina Tops-Alexander, though finishing 28th on the night with Cevo Itot du Château, could not be caught in the overall rankings, where she emerged victorious and 300,000 euro richer.

In the three-star show at Stockholm, Sweden, meanwhile, Ireland's Jessica Kurten had back-to-back wins with Tony Lundin's bay mare Colina in Friday and Saturday's two-phase classes, but was not so fortunate in Sunday's Grand Prix, where 22 year-old Alex Duffy took Ireland's best place when finishing 12th on Carl Hanley's bay gelding Antello Z.

The Stockholm Grand Prix was won by British star Michael Whitaker with the Irish-bred Cavalier Royale gelding Casino.


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