[2] It was later confirmed that Lynch was banned from entering the show jumping final due to his horse, Lantinus, being found to have been in contact with illegal substances.

[6] In the hours that followed the revelations, Horse Sport Ireland made a statement on Lynch's Olympic disqualification, saying it was "informed by the world equestrian governing body, the FEI, at 2.15pm Hong Kong time on Thursday (21 August), that Irish Olympic rider Denis Lynch's horse, Lantinus had tested positive for a banned substance and that as a result he would be suspended from taking part in tonight's show jumping final."

[7] The head of the Irish Olympic team, Dermot Henihan, refused to speak to Lynch, calling it "a bitter pill to swallow".

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Martin Cullen, who had been expected to fly from Beijing to Hong Kong if Lynch and Lantinus had won a medal in the final, was said to be "staying silent" as the controversy unfolded.

Also in Athens, a doping scandal cost team Germany a jumping gold after the horse ridden by Ludger Beerbaum was disqualified when it tested positive for drugs.

He was selected as first to jump (with Abberuail van het Dingeshof) followed by Alex Duffy (Tampa), Shane Breen (Carmena Z), and Billy Twomey (Tinka's Serenade).

The opening leg of the Global Champions Tour in Valencia: Although many of the world's best riders – including Lynch – had faults in the €285,000 Grand Prix on Saturday, he was narrowly beaten into second in the 1m50 'Trophy Massimo Dutti'.

Lynch then made his long trip very worthwhile by also taking the winners purse of €23,000 in the Grand Prix, again with Abberuail van het Dingeshof.

On the opening evening, he jumped a double clear on Abberuail van het Dingeshof to secure 5th place and €1,750 in the 1m45 jump-off class – The 'Trophy Massimo Dutti'.

He again chose to ride Abberuail van het Dingeshof in Saturday's GCT Grand Prix but were unlucky to have the final fence down in the first round.

In the 5th leg of the Meydan FEI Nations Cup, which was won by the home team, Ireland finished 5th on 24 faults: Dermott Lennon (Hallmark Elite) 4/12, Jessica Kuerten (Castle Forbes Myrtille Paulois) (8)/(12), Shane Breen (Carmena Z) 4/4, Denis Lynch (Nabab's Son) 0/0.

In the 6th leg of the Meydan FEI Nations Cup on Thursday, the Irish team finished on a 4 fault score to win: Billy Twomey ( Tinka's Serenade) 4/0; Dermott Lennon (Hallmark Elite) 0/0; Cian O'Connor (K Club Lady) 0/0; Denis Lynch (Lantinus) (4)/(NS).

Lynch was once again selected as part of the Irish Team – this time at the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead, Great Britain.

In the Nations Cup on Friday, Ireland finished joint 2nd on 20 faults with the USA: Billy Twomey (Tinka's Serenade) 0/4; Dermott Lennon (Hallmark Elite) (12)/(8); Cian O'Connor (K Club Lady) 8/0; Denis Lynch (Nabab's Son) 8/0.

It seemed to 'all come together' for Lynch at the penultimate leg of the Global Champions Tour held at Stal Tops, Valkensward, The Netherlands where he picked up nearly €70,000 in prize money.

CSI4* Paderborn, Germany – the 4th leg of the DKB Riders Tour: In the Grand Prix qualifier on Saturday, Lynch and Abberuail van het Dingeshof pulled off the fastest time in the jump-off but had 4 faults to finish 9th.

In the Rolex FEI World Cup qualifier, Lynch opted to ride Abberuail van het Dingeshof, the pair again posted a very quick time, but with 8 faults they could only secure 8th position and €7,000 of the €200,000 prize fund.

CSI5*-W Audi Masters Brussels, Belgium: In the opening class on Friday night, Lynch and Abberuail van het Dingeshof were quick enough to take 4th prize of €4,000.

In the 1m45 winning round on Saturday night, he directed Tarpan to 6th prize of €1,200 On 12 January, it was reported that Lynch has withdrawn from competing as a member of the Irish Team.

He and Abbervail van het Dingeshof took maximum points in this leg by winning the Rolex FEI World Cup class ensuring a place in the final, and taking €58,000 in prize money.

CSI5* Global Champions Tour Cannes, France: Lantinus made his Grand Prix return to finish 5th and take €16,000 in prize money.

The Irish team finished 2nd in the FEI Nations Cup on Saturday: Billy Twomey (Tinka's Serenade) 0/(Ret)/ jump-off for first place: Retired; Shane Sweetnam (Amaretto d'Arco) 0/0; Nicola Fitzgibbon (Puissance) 4/0; Denis Lynch (All Inclusive NRW) (5)/4.

CES5* European Championships, Madrid, Spain: Shane Sweetnam (Amaretto d'Arco) 3.46/8/8; Nicola Fitzgibbon (Puissance) (9.74)/(21)/(20); Denis Lynch (Lantinus) 8.71/9/4; Billy Twomey (Tinka's Serenade) 0.95/0/12; After round 1, Ireland lay 9th on 13.12 faults behind France in the lead on 2.95.

CSI5*-W Verona, Italy: Lynch and Lord Luis picked up €5,000 in prize money in the 1m50 Grand Prix that was won by fellow Irishman, Niall Talbot.

CSI5* Gucci Masters Paris, France: Abberuail van het Dingeshof took 7th prize in the Rolex IJRC Top Ten Final, earning €10,000.

In the Grand Prix jump-off of 16 combinations, Lantinus was early to jump and took the lead, but they were eventually beaten by less three seconds, and by 8 other riders to finish 9th and earned €4,050 (5,000CHF).

CSI5*-W Mechelen, Germany: Lynch partnered Abbervail van het Dingeshof to 5th prize of €10,000 in the Rolex FEI World Cup, moving him to 2nd in the overall rankings.

CSI5*-W Rolex FEI World Cup Final, 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands: After five jumping rounds, Lynch and Abbervail van het Dingeshof finished 11th.

CSI5*-GCT Valencia, Spain: Abbervail van het Dingeshof jumped double-clear in the Grand Prix to earn a spot in the five-horse jump-off.

CSIO5* La Baule, France: Lynch and Lantinus jumped 4/4 in the FEI Nations Cup to help Ireland secure equal-fifth position.