Daring displays from former world champ

Former World Champion Dermott Lennon from Glasker put on some daring displays of horsemanship at this year's Longines RDS Horse Show.
Dermott Lennon on Loughview Lou-Lou during the Serpentine Speed Stakes at Dublin Horse Show. ©Paul Byrne Photography INBL1630-228PBDermott Lennon on Loughview Lou-Lou during the Serpentine Speed Stakes at Dublin Horse Show. ©Paul Byrne Photography INBL1630-228PB
Dermott Lennon on Loughview Lou-Lou during the Serpentine Speed Stakes at Dublin Horse Show. ©Paul Byrne Photography INBL1630-228PB

Unfortunately for him, the top spots eluded him this year, having to settle for third and seventh place.

Lennon took third place in Thursday’s Speedy Derby sponsored by the Clayton Hotel, on his nimble mount ‘Vampire’ with a time of 86.99 collecting four faults. This saw him coming in ahead of Ireland’s hopes for the Rio Olympics, Greg Patrick Broderick.

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It had been quite some time since Lennon took on the challenge of the big wall at the RDS, so there was much excitement when the Saturday crowd realised he had entered with ‘Gelvins Touch’. The Land Rover Puissance started off at an impressive 6ft and increased with each round.

It was a good attempt but Lennon went out in the third round with four other competitors bowing out at the same height, just two rounds shy of the final height.

Lennon gave an outstanding effort in the Longines International Grand Prix of Ireland on Sunday. It looked like he had a clear round in the bag but an unfortunate rub on the poll saw him leave with four faults to the disappointment of the Irish supporters.

There were 40 horses entered in the class and only four horses managed a clear first round, so for quite some time hopes were high that a win maybe possible even with four faults. Then one after another, the four clear rounds came in followed by two clears with time faults pushing Dermott into seventh with ‘Loughview Lou-Lou’.

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