This weekend the penultimate stage of the Longines FEI World Cup ™ Jumping 2015/2016 Western European League took place in Zurich. Pius Schwizer and PSG Futuro take the stage win for the host nation. Denis Lynch’s Ireland in second place with All Star, while Australian Edwina Alexander is third with Caretina de Joter. Only nine of the 39 starters found the key to the difficult race course conceived by Swiss designer Gerard Lachat. The result of the Zurich stage considerably improves Lynch’s position in the European Western League standings. The 17 points conquered bring him to thirteenth position. Now, with a total of 34 points, the Irishman has a good chance of qualifying among the top-18 who will participate in the final to be held in Gothenburg (SWE) on 23-28 March. Appointment next Saturday in Bordeaux (FRA) which will host the eleventh and final qualifying round of the coveted Longines FEI ™ World Cup trophy.
Lynch is aware that his All Star is not the fastest horse on the planet, but he jumps big and clean and has been in great shape over the past few weeks. They started determined and took home a second place finishing the course in 42.34 seconds.

Denis Lynch at the end of the race: “Going to the final is not really my goal. I am trying to win another place for Ireland in the Olympic Games. Bertram (Allen) seems to guarantee a place for Ireland and I hope to get one other. If I can I will do it in the World Cup, I hope to collect more points in Bordeaux next weekend “.

Result: 1, PSG Future (Pius Schwizer) SUI 0/0 41.97; 2, All Star (Denis Lynch) IRL 0/0 42.34; 3, Caretina de Joter (Edwina Tops-Alexander) AUS 0/0 45.31; 4, Viking (Michael Whitaker) GBR 0/4 39.89; 5, Carella (Niklas Krieg) GER 0/4 41.78; 6, Clooney (Martin Fuchs) SUI 0/4 41.92; 7, Cas de Liberté (Niels Bruynseels) BEL 0/4 43.99; 8, Epleaser van T Heike (Christian Ahlmann) GER 0/4 43.99; 9, Casallo Z (Piergiorgio Bucci) ITA 0/8 43.04.

Longines FEI World ™ Jumping Cup 2015/2016 Western European League ranking – after Round 10 in Zurich (SUI):

1. Christian Ahlmann GER – 86
2. Simon Delestre FRA – 61
3. Harrie Smolders NED – 57
4. Jos Verlooy BEL – 50
5. Audrey Coulter United States of America – 46
6. Penelope Leprevost FRA – 45
7. Nicola Philippaerts BEL – 42
8. Henrik von Eckermann SWE – 39
9. Marco Kutscher GER – 37
10. Max Kuhner AUT – 37
11. Daniel Deusser GER – 36
12. Romain Duguet SUI – 35
13. Denis Lynch IRL – 34
14. Kevin Staut FRA – 34
15. Niklas Krieg GER – 32
16. Olivier Philippaerts BEL – 32
17. Marcus Ehning GER – 32
18. Douglas Lindelöw SWE – 31
19. Patrick Stuhlmeyer GER – 31
20. Steve Guerdat SUI – 30