IN-form Denis Lynch and his brilliant 12-year-old stallion Vistogrand scored two runner-up finishes in the two most important classes at the five-star World Cup show in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, last weekend.

The first came in Saturday’s 1.60m Grand Prix, when the pair were one of 10 clear rounds from a list of star-studded riders in the first round. Against the clock, eight of those went clear again and Lynch’s time of 32.44 seconds with the Tipperary’s Finest-owned black stallion was just beaten by Belgium’s Pieter Devos with Jarina J (0/0 31.44). Lynch earned €23,000 for second place.

Lynch topped up that prize fund by another €34,500 on Sunday, when again standing second on the podium.

With just six of the 40 combinations qualifying for the jump-off, Lynch and Vistogrand were second fastest in round two, just 0.69 seconds behind winners Marc Houtzager and Sterrehof’s Dante.

Course builder Quintin Maertens’ first round track wasn’t, on paper, the biggest, but his use of strategically placed oxers and lines proved a genius piece of course building, producing a thought-provoking track that only six of the 40 could master, despite a lenient time allowed.

Home rider Jur Vrieling worked a bit of magic, giving his new partner Helwell du Chabus an accurate ride to produce the first clear of round two in 40.03. His lead was short-lived, as Houtzager came next with Sterrehof’s Dante.

Houtzager used the agility and neatness of the diminutive 17-year-old mare to his advantage around the twisting turns of the jump-off track to break the beam in 38.30 seconds and take the lead with two athletes remaining.

The in-form combination of Lynch on Vistogrand once again showed their class, cruising round the tight turns with an immaculate round of jumping in 38.99 seconds. It wasn’t quick enough to take top spot on the podium but, nonetheless, he was delighted with his stallion.

It was an emotional win for Marc Houtzager and his team, as their tactic to preserve the mare by jumping her at some smaller shows before coming to Amsterdam had really paid off.

“Happy face for me today! It’s unbelievable, it’s five years ago since I won here on Sunday. Five years is a long time.

"I didn’t expect this, I got an extra stride from two to three in the jump-off and one extra to the combination, so I didn’t think I’d be quick enough.”

He cheekily added: “Luckily Denis was on my side so, thank you, Denis!”

Lynch was happy with Vistogrand’s performance and particularly the consistency he is showing at this level. “I’m delighted with him. We are really forming a partnership and he’s a really reliable horse now. It’s great for Marc,” he added graciously, “fair dues to him, in front of a home crowd. We’ll try again in Bordeaux and see where we’re lying.”

After 12 legs of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Western European League 2024/2025, the top four athletes remain unchanged, as Kevin Staut (FRA) holds on to his lead with 70 points, Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER) retains second position with 66 points, Robert Whitaker (GBR) sits in third place with 60 points and Gregory Wathelet (BEL) lies in fourth with 56 points. Denis Lynch is now in 16th place on 35 points.

The season now moves south to Bordeaux for the penultimate leg on February 9th 2025 before the series makes its final move to Gothenburg (SWE) for the 14th and final qualifying leg.