Amsterdam World Cup runner-up finish for Denis Lynch and Vistogrand

Tipperary’s Denis Lynch and the 12-year-old stallion Vistogrand continued their ultra-consistent run of form, when they secured a runner-up finish in Sunday’s five-star Longines FEI World Cup Grand Prix at Amsterdam in The Netherlands.

A six-horse jump-off saw Lynch go clear in 38.99 seconds to finish just over half-a-second behind Dutch winner Marc Houtzager with Sterrehof’s Dante. It was a case of déjà vu for Houtzager as he and the evergreen mare had taken victory in the same class five years ago. The only other double clear came from Jur Vrieling (NED) who finished third with Helwell du Chabus.

Lynch and Vistogrand had also finished as runners-up 24 hours earlier in a Grand Prix at the same venue and the Tipperary town-born rider is thrilled 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 Mark” 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 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup season now moves south to Bordeaux for the penultimate leg on 9 February 2025 before the series makes its final move to Gothenburg (SWE) for the 14th and final qualifying leg.