Denis Lynch: The Eye, the Horse, and the Mindset Behind a Champion

With more than three decades at the very top of international show jumping, Denis Lynch has built a career defined by consistency, horsemanship, and trust.

Never one to overstate his own achievements, Lynch prefers to talk about horses, process, and responsibility — values that have carried him through Grand Prix victories, championship medals, and countless appearances in the green jacket for Ireland.

Denis Lynch on Developing Grand Prix Horses, Championship Pressure, and Putting the Horse First

“I wouldn’t call myself a world-class rider,” he says modestly. “But I’ve been doing this now for maybe officially 30 years, and I’m very grateful that I’m still able to do it and still enjoy it.”

What Makes a Grand Prix Horse

For Lynch, identifying a future Grand Prix horse begins long before a fence is jumped. Talent matters, but it is not the first thing he looks for.

“The first thing I look at in every horse — irrelevant of talent or perspective — is his eye,” Lynch explains. “That’s something I learned a long time ago. The eye tells you a lot.”

He studies the horse’s head closely: the space between the ears, the forehead, and the overall expression. From there, he moves on to conformation — the shoulder, feet, hooves, topline, and back — before considering movement, scope, and natural balance.

“A good conformation makes life a bit easier for the horse,” he says. “Then you look at how he moves, how he uses himself, and how balanced he is.”

Watching the horse being ridden is the next step. Only once he is satisfied with what he sees does he get on himself, focusing on feel and connection. “You try to see if you can build something together,” Lynch explains. “That connection is everything.”

He also places huge importance on stamina and lung capacity in modern sport. “I’m a big believer in stamina,” he says. “It’s very, very important today.”

Developing Horses Over Time: Patience and Individuality

One of Lynch’s strongest beliefs is that young horses should never be labelled too early. Between the ages of two and seven, his horses are reassessed every six months — always at home and never on a short-term basis.

“I don’t always look at young horses as Grand Prix prospects,” he explains. “You analyse them over time. Not on a short-term basis, never.”

While talent differences are noticeable, Lynch believes patience and correct development often matter more. “Sometimes it’s not just talent,” he says. “It’s patience, teamwork, and what you build with them.”

Throughout his career, Lynch has proven this philosophy time and again. Horses like Dark Chocolate and All Starneeded time to develop their technique, particularly in front.

“All Star found it very hard with his front end,” Lynch recalls. “He always took a lot of time at the fence. But he had great balance and excellent conformation — he just needed patience.”

Dark Chocolate followed a similar path, needing space and confidence at the jumps during training. In contrast, Bab’s Son was a horse that never felt spectacular at home.

“At home, 1.25m was big for him,” Lynch says. “He liked to be close at the fence. But in the ring, he became a brilliant horse.”

Bab’s Son went on to win at five-star level and deliver in Nations Cups — a perfect example, Lynch says, of why understanding what each horse is comfortable with is crucial.

The Horses That Defined His Career: All Star and Latinus

When asked about the best horses he has ridden, Lynch does not hesitate to name All Star as one of the most important of his career. However, it is Latinus who stands apart.

“Latinus was the greatest horse I ever sat upon,” he says. “He was unbelievable.”

Between 2007 and 2010, Latinus produced an extraordinary run of form, winning multiple Grand Prix back-to-back at the very highest level.

“I think in 2008 he won three, four, maybe five Grand Prix in a row,” Lynch recalls. “You can’t really single out one win — it was the consistency that made him so special.”

While Latinus brought sheer brilliance, All Star delivered reliability at championships, including pivotal rounds for Ireland.

“One of the proudest moments for me was the second round of the European Championships,” Lynch says. “We had to be clear to secure the gold medal, and we did it.”

Riding for Ireland and Performing Under Pressure

Few riders have represented Ireland as consistently as Denis Lynch. For him, wearing the green jacket always carries added responsibility.

“There’s always that extra amount because it’s a team,” he says. “I believe very strongly in not letting the team down.”

Yet Lynch does not view pressure negatively. “Pressure is a privilege,” he says. “If people trust you and believe in you, that means they think highly of you.”

Experience has taught him to embrace those moments. “You just get on with it,” he says. “It’s your job.”

Whether in Nations Cups, championships, or major Grand Prix classes, Lynch thrives in the biggest arenas. “That’s where you want to be,” he says. “That’s the cherry on top.”

Even when things go wrong, his mindset remains forward-looking. “If I have a silly mistake, I can’t wait to get back in and correct it,” he explains.

Safety, Responsibility, and the Importance of Kep Italia

Looking back at the early days of his career, Lynch is frank about how attitudes toward safety have changed.

“When I started riding, we didn’t wear helmets,” he says. “Which was idiotic.”

Today, safety is non-negotiable. “Helmet safety is a priority,” Lynch stresses. “Even hacking out or walking a horse, you should be wearing a helmet.”

Since joining Kep Italia, Lynch says the difference has been immediate. “They are the most comfortable and lightest helmets I’ve ever worn,” he explains. “They’re versatile, well-balanced, and you almost forget you’re wearing one.”

Beyond comfort, he values the confidence that comes with knowing he is protected. “I’m very happy to be on board with Kep Italia,” Lynch says. “And proud to be an ambassador for a brand that truly puts safety first.”

Advice to His Younger Self — and the Next Generation

If Lynch could offer one piece of advice to his younger self, it would be simple: put the horse first.

“If you put your horse first, you’re always in the right place,” he says.

He also emphasises patience and imagination. “With horses, patience is everything,” he explains. “And fantasy too — believing you can do it.”

While he admits he may not always have believed in himself early on, experience has proven what dedication can achieve. “Over time, I’ve proven to myself that I’m capable of being a decent rider,” he says.

As another long season begins, Denis Lynch remains driven by the same principles that have shaped his career: respect for the horse, belief in the process, and pride in representing his country at the very highest level.

Valentina Sozzi

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