Source:  News Release/Colin McClelland

LYNCH TAKES FOURTH PLACE IN VIENNA GRAND PRIX

 DENIS Lynch rounded off a successful week for Irish show jumpers with a fourth place at tonight's (Monday) Vienna Grand Prix in Austria.

German-based Lynch, riding his own eight year-old stallion Contifex, was one of 11 through to the jump-off under lights at the Stadthalle arena, and one of just six to record a double clear round from a starting field of 46 top international riders.

Tipperary-born Lynch was, however, just over three seconds off the pace of Switzerland's Beat Mandli, who scooped the 28,000 euro first prize with Paul Bücheler's bay gelding Louis. 

The Irish rider, who picked up 8,000 euro for his fourth position, also claimed an eight place earlier in the evening in the Accumulator competition, this time riding Thomas Straumann's 11 year-old Twister S.

Lynch and Shane Breen had a succession of top five places at the four-star Vienna show through the weekend, while Co. Down riders Conor Swail and Dermott Lennon pocketed 75,000 dollars in prize money between them at the World Cup show in Toronto, Canada.

In dressage at Vienna, Ireland's Anna Merveldt greatly increased her chances of securing an individual Olympic slot for Ireland with a high-scoring second place on Coryolano in the Grand Prix Kür on Sunday.

Check Horse Sport Ireland for more information.