IRELAND’s Denis Lynch guided RMF Echo (Virus de Laubry x Feo) to their biggest win together to date when landing the Longines FEI World Cup qualifier at the Kentucky Horse Park’s National Horse Show in Lexington, USA.

The Tipperary native picked up $82,500 when the 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, who is owned by Lynch’s sponsors Frank and Monica McCourt of Rushy Marsh Farm, blazed to victory in the nine-horse jump-off.

Winner of the World Cup qualifier in Washington last week, Switzerland’s Beat Mändli held the lead with Dsarie in a time of 37.80 seconds until Lynch lowered that target to 36.16 with just two left to go. Lynch had an anxious watch as America’s Lauren Tisbo gave his time a good rattle, but ultimately came up short in 36.52 seconds to slot into second place ahead of Mändli.

A video posted online after the round showed Monica McCourt doing a nervous dance as RMF Echo took on the course. Monica’s husband Frank is the co-owner of the lucrative Global Champions Tour, along with Jan Tops.

Last May, RMF Echo was about to be sold out of Lynch’s stables, but Rushy Marsh Farm stepped up to purchase the chesnut so that he could stay with Lynch, something for which he is very grateful.

“The horse ended up in our stable this winter, and I was actually short a horse,” Lynch said afterwards.

“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 (Versailles CSI5*), 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.”

About the gelding, who has an extravagant jumping technique, Lynch added: “I went as quickly as I could. 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.”

Irish rider Shane Sweetnam (Indra van de Oude Heihoef) and Richie Moloney (Ypäjä Yando) were also in action in Lexington and placed sixth and seventh respectively in Thursday’s 1.45m Table C.