Lynch’s Echo scores resounding success
A horse that Ireland’s Denis Lynch nearly lost the ride on six months ago clinches Kentucky’s World Cup qualifier
IRELAND’S Denis Lynch will look back on 2017 as a remarkable year. As well as becoming a new dad, the 41-year-old Germanybased rider has won some of the biggest competitions of his career. European team gold a couple of months ago will undoubtedly remain a highlight but success in Lexington’s $250,000 (£190,700) Longines FEI World Cup qualifier this week ranks right up there, too.
Quickest of nine jump-off contenders, Denis and Rushy Marsh Farm’s 13-year-old Belgian-bred RMF Echo hurtled round to gain nearly a half-second advantage over USA rider Lauren Tisbo (Coriandolo Di Ribano).
“Echo is naturally very quick,” said Denis. “He’s been unlucky a few times this year, when he’s been beaten at the post. I think there have been three or four grands prix where he finished second. He deserved it tonight.
“Echo has his own special way of jumping, but he has an incredible heart; he tries a lot for his rider and gives everything. The most important thing is
what’s in their head, and he wants to keep the jumps up.”
Denis has partnered Echo for nearly a year, taking over the reins from British rider Emma O’Dwyer, but almost lost the ride six months ago before owners Monica and Frank McCourt of Rushy Marsh Farm stepped in to purchase the chestnut so he could remain on Denis’s yard.
“The horse ended up in our stables last winter, and
I was actually short of a horse,” said Denis. “I started jumping him in some shows at the beginning of the year, and he started progressing to be a better horse. He was sold [after CSI5* Versailles in France], and I was very lucky that Rushy Marsh stepped in overnight and secured me the horse, for which I’m extremely grateful. It was incredible. I’m very, very lucky to have him.”
Best British rider was eighthplaced Emily Moffitt (Hilfiger
Van De Olmenhoeve), who had won Thursday’s $150,000 CP international open jumper — a tremendous, high profile win at 1.55m for the 19-year-old, who trains with Ben Maher.