Denis Lyn claimed the Grand Prix in Leipzig

Irish riders claimed the top two places in the Leipzig Grand Prix in Germany this afternoon (Saturday) with Denis Lynch taking the winner's prize of 20,000 euro and Billy Twomey collecting 17,000 euro for his runner-up position.

Only a seventh of a second separated Lynch and Twomey in the seven horse jump-off, with Twomey last in and attempting to beat his fellow-countryman's time by cutting a corner, but failing to do so by the narrowest margin.

Lynch, who was eliminated in the first round of the World Cup class at Leipzig on Thursday after a fall, today rode Thomas Straumann's bay gelding 'All Inclusive NRW', while Twomey was aboard the chestnut stallion 'Romanov'.

Lynch said afterwards: “I felt very down on Thursday afternoon, but you have to keep fighting. I'm very lucky to get the job done today. I'm really happy.”

Cork-born Twomey, who now lies 22nd in the World Cup Final rankings, declared after the Grand Prix that he would not be taking part in the concluding two-round competition on Sunday. He said: “It's nice to finish off on a good note. In the World Cup it's realistically difficult to for me to claw back to any winning position so I'm going to save my horse for another day.”