A VICTORY by Tipperary's Denis Lynch in this afternoon's World Cup Qualifier in the Netherlands now means that Ireland will have two competitors amongst the elite 18 riders who go through to the World Cup Final at Leipzig in Germany next month.

A thrilling finish saw the 34 year-old take the lead with Thomas Straumann's gelding 'Abbervail van het Dingeshof' halfway through the big 17 horse jump-off, but despite the best efforts of Europe's other top riders, Lynch held onto his advantage to take the 58,000 euro first prize and vital World Cup ranking points that will ensure his inclusion in the Leipzig final, catapulting him from a rank of 30th to 15th overall.

Ireland's other World Cup finalist will be Cork's Billy Twomey, who is now 5th in the rankings after finishing 11th at s-Hertogenbosch today with Sue Davies's stallion 'Je t'Aime Flamenco'.

After receiving his prize today Lynch joked: "I've been trying for this for the last 15 years - it's about time I won a World Cup Qualifier."

And Team Ireland Equestrian's show jumping manager Robert Splaine added his congratulations to the plaudits pouring in for the Tipperary rider. He said today: "This was a superb performance from Denis this afternoon. I'm absolutely delighted that he's qualified. Ireland has never won a World Cup Final, but with Denis and Billy now in the competition, both with superb horses, this could very well be our year."

Denis Lynch