DERMOTT Lennon from County Down tonight (Monday) won the Olympia Grand Prix in London with Judith Sossick's Irish-bred mare Loughview Lou Lou. Lennon, a former world champion, beat 32 of the world's best riders to take the 24,000 euro first prize.

The 42 year-old was the only Irish competitor to make the cut for the 11 horse jump-off, and set an early second round lead that proved unbeatable, with only Spain's Manuel Anon and the mare Rackel Chavannaise coming close, taking the runner-up spot a fifth of a second behind Lennon.

The Banbridge-based rider had also taken a third place in Sunday's big Rolex World Cup class at the London venue with Woods Rosbotham's Hallmark Elite, and had another win with Loughview Lou Lou in Thursday's jump-off competition.

Afterwards Lennon said: "Loughview Lou Lou is a very competitive horse and she is naturally fast but I was really delighted with the way she jumped tonight. I got her a year ago and she has been steadily progressing since her first win at Maubeuge in France in May of this year. But I have to say it's fantastic to see an Irish-bred horse back winning a five-star Grand Prix like this. She was just super."

Horse Sport Ireland Chairman Joe Walsh said tonight: "This is a brilliant result for Ireland and I want to congratulate Dermott Lennon and the mare's owner and breeder Judith Sossick. It is a great boost for the sector."

Loughview Lou Lou was the winner of the Horse Sport Ireland Show Jumping League in 2008.

Listen to Dermott Lennon's interview with Rupert Bell after the Grand Prix tonight - click HERE
 
BREEDING
•Loughview Lou-Lou (ISH) – 2002 bay mare by Limmerick (HOLST) out of Loughview Diamond Lucy (ISH), by Jack Of Diamonds (ID C1). Owner/Bred by Judith Sossick, Randalstown, Co. Antrim. Rider: Dermott Lennon (IRL)
 

Dermott Lennon and Loughview Lou Lou on their lap of honour at Olympia tonight. Picture: Kit Houghton