On Saturday and Sunday 28-29 July 2012, Jeff Chapman QC (instructed by Neville Byford of Eversheds) appeared successfully before the Court of Arbitration for Sport Ad Hoc Olympic Tribunal.

Jeff was instructed on Friday evening to represent Irish show jumper and gold medal hopeful, Cian O’Connor, who had replaced Denis Lynch on the Irish Olympic Team.

Mr Lynch had his selection for London withdrawn on 9 July 2012 after a vet’s report from the Nations Cup in Aachen revealed concern over his horse, Lantinus, suffering hypersensitivity in his jaw and legs.  Hypersensitivity can be naturally occurring, but because this was the third time a horse ridden by Mr Lynch had suffered the complaint, Horse Sport Ireland decided that Mr Lynch should be withdrawn from the Irish Olympic Team.

Mr O’Connor replaced Mr Lynch and successfully argued that the Ad Hoc Olympic Tribunal should dismiss Mr Lynch’s challenge.  The Tribunal accepted the argument that it had no jurisdiction to determine Mr Lynch’s application.

The Olympic show jumping starts on 4 August 2012.  Mr O’Connor is now clear to ride Blue Loyd in the event and is said to be a ‘dark horse’ for a medal.