AFTER a slightly lukewarm start to his weekend appearance at the Dubai International Horse Show, World Champion Dermott Lennon from Ireland took the show's Leading Rider Award today (Friday), after finishing a close second in the Dubai Grand Prix.

With a successful show behind him at Abu Dhabi last week, commentators felt that the heat of the Emirates might be affecting Lennon's horses when they arrived in Dubai, but after a faltering start, the Co. Down-born rider recovered to take equal third in the Six-Bar competition on Thursday with <I Caesar>, and tonight won the Leading Rider Award after <Impact> rode a classic double clear round, finishing less than two seconds behind Britain's William Funnel in the Grand Prix.

SHOW JUMPING RESULTS: CSI** DUBAI, UAE JANUARY 14-16

DUBAI DUTY FREE GRAND PRIX
Friday, January 16, 2004

1) TIBOR; William Funnel (GBR) Faults 0/0 Time 40.53
2) IMPACT: Dermott Lennon (IRL) Faults 0/0 Time 42.13
3) NAEEM; Khalid Al Eid (KSA) Faults 0/0 Time 44.09

LEADING RIDER AWARD, DUBAI INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW: Dermott Lennon (IRL)

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