Tipperary’s Denis Lynch picked up a new Mercedes car for his victory in the Championat of Hamburg at the five-star show today with the 13 yr old RMF Echo.

One of 14 to make it through to the jump-off, Lynch looked in determined mood, and when third to go in the second round, unleashed all the Virus de Laubry stallion’s power to stop the clock at a remarkably fast 40.21 seconds.

Only the USA’s Lauren Hough with Ohlala came close, finishing half a second behind the Tipperary rider, but Lynch waited to see what challenge Britain’s Olympic team gold medallist Scott Brash would bring at the tail-end of the jump-off with Hello Forever, but the Scotsman had one fence down trying to better Lynch’s time.

deniscongrat
Denis Lynch being congratulated by well-wishers immediately after his victory today.

Afterwards a delighted Lynch said: “It was a fantastic performance by Echo and I’m absolutely delighted – we’ve had some good second places in Grands Prix recently and it all paid off today. I had my plan ready for the jump-off and it worked out, I’m glad to say. The horse is a real trier, and proved himself today.”

The duo’s first clear round also helped Denis’s Global Champions League team, Miami Glory, stay in first place today.

Ireland’s Bertram Allen and Hector van d’Abdijhoeve were denied a place in the jump-off through incurring a time fault in the opening round.

Earlier in the day, Cork’s Billy Twomey took victory in the four-star 1m45 speed class and then had a convincing win in the Hamburg Derby Qualifier with Diaghilev.

In Rome, meanwhile, where Ireland’s Nations Cup team does battle on Friday afternoon, squad member Mark McAuley won the 1m55 speed class on the 13 yr old gelding Miebello.

Jack Burns