IRELAND’s Denis Lynch shared a top five place in the five-star Land Rover Masters World Cup class at Mechelen, Belgium, where the winning honours went to America’s Lauren Hough on Waterford (Coolcorron Cool Diamond x Julio Mariner).

Lynch was riding Echo de Laubry (Virus de Laubry x Feo) at the top-drawer event.

Hough proved unbeatable despite a strong challenge from Belgian riders Olivier and Nicola Philippaerts over the 1.50m track. Aboard the KWPN 13-year-old bay gelding Waterford, Hough was the best in the final fourth round, while Nicola took second place (4/36.25) in front of brother Olivier (8/34.19).

Ten riders competed in the exciting Masters class that ended in a jump-off battle between the USA and Belgium. First to go was Olivier and his H&M Forever D Arco Ter Linden. They set for a fast round in 34.39 seconds, however collected eight penalties along the way.

Hough sped around the course in 30.24 seconds as second to go but a pole down on the first jump into the double, gave Nicola the chance at a home win if clear. Chilli Willi had the large crowd on the edge of their seats as he jumped as if the obstacles were not there. However, the eight-year-old Cassall stallion got a bit unsettled at the final jump and kicked off the last pole in the triple to hand the win to Hough.

Fourth was Belgium’s Jerome Guery on Garfield de Tiji Des Templiers, the Quasimodo Z grey 10-year-old stallion, while Lynch shared fifth place with Dutch rider Harrie Smolders on Apollonia 23 and Germany’s Christian Ahlmann on Cornado II.

Sixth place was shared by Belgium’s Niels Bruynseels on Gancia de Muze, Gregory Wathelet on Desteny van het Dennehof and France’s Simon Delestre on Chadino.