TIPPERARY'S Denis Lynch took Ireland's first winner's trophy at the five-star show in Monte Carlo tonight (Thursday), with Cork's Billy Twomey finishing just behind him in joint second.

Riding Clare Whitaker's 15 year-old bay gelding 'Lacroix', Lynch beat both Twomey with 'Tackeray' and Australia's Edwina Alexander by less than a tenth of a second to claim the 6,400 euro first prize.

Later, Jessica Kurten was the only Irish rider into the second round of the night's big jump-off competition, but a single mistake by 'Castle Forbes Libertina' left her in tenth place.

Monte Carlo's signature competition, the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix, takes place on Saturday night.
 

Denis Lynch