Stunning Longines World Cup win for Lynch in Lexington

Ireland’s European Championship team gold medalist Denis Lynch has added a Longines FEI World Cup victory to his season’s winnings, after a stunning performance in the early hours of this morning at Lexington, Kentucky in the USA.

Ireland’s Denis Lynch and RMF Echo flying high as they capture a top class win at the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping in Lexington (USA) overnight. (FEI/Ashley Neuhof)

Lynch had made the trip across the Atlantic for a stint on the American circuit and he guided the Rushy Marsh Farm-owned gelding RMF Echo to victory in Lexington – collecting just over $82,000.

Nine combinations made it through to the jump-off, with Lynch the sole Irish representative after Shane Sweetnam (Chaqui Z) and Richie Moloney (Carrabis Z) exited in the first round. Tipperary-born Lynch set a blistering winning clear in a time of 36.16 seconds and was pushed all the way by American runner-up Lauren Tisbo with Coriandolo di Ribano (36.52). Switzerland’s Beat Mandli took the third spot on the podium with Dsarie (37.80).

In May, RMF Echo was about to be sold out of Lynch’s stables, but owners Monica and Frank McCourt of Rushy Marsh Farm stepped up to purchase the chestnut so that he could stay with Lynch. That proved a worthwhile decision when the duo prevailed over a world-class field which included three of the top 25 riders on the Longines World Rankings.

“The horse ended up in our stable this winter, and I was actually short a horse,” Lynch recalled. “Then, I started jumping him in some shows at the beginning of the year, and he started progressing to a better horse. He was sold after [CSI 5* Versailles (FRA)], and I was very, very lucky that Rushy Marsh stepped in overnight and secured me the horse, which I’m incredibly grateful for. It was incredible. I’m very, very lucky to have him.”

“I went as quickly as I could,” Lynch said. “Echo is a naturally very, very quick horse. He’s been unlucky a few times this year, when he’s been beaten at the post. I think there were three or four Grand Prix where he finished second. I think he really deserved it tonight.”

The result, Ireland’s first World Cup win of the season, means Lynch now sits in fourth place on the Longines World Cup league table after he collected 20 points for his Lexington victory. Irish riders are in World Cup action again this afternoon with Dermott Lennon, Mark McAuley, Paul Kennedy and Bertram Allen among the starters at Lyon in France.