Nov 19,2024
Denis Lynch produced a strong performance on Sunday in the five-star Longines FEI World Cup Grand Prix in Stuttgart, securing a runner-up finish in a tough contest that delivered just three first-round clears.
Riding the 15-year-old gelding Brooklyn Heights, Lynch was the first to go in the opening round and posted a perfect clear and just two more of the 49 combinations that followed would manage to match Lynch’s clear to set up a three-horse jump-off.
First to go again against the clock, Lynch completed a double clear performance, stopping the clock in 44.37 seconds.
French rider Keven Staut had the last fence down when chasing the Irish rider's target and finished third, before home favourite Richard Vogel and United Touch S produced a brilliant clear round to take victory in a time of 41.39 when last to go.
The pair’s seamless performance marked their second triumph in as many weeks, following a spectacular win in Lyon.
Vogel’s Stuttgart success catapulted him to second place in the provisional Western European League standings with 42 points, bolstering his confidence ahead of the final.
Lynch picked up 17 points for his runner-up finish and will now have his eyes set on securing qualification for the final, which will take place in Basel in early 2025.
Meanwhile, Billy Twomey scored an impressive win in Sunday’s four-star 1m55 Grand Prix in Valencia, beating off a field of 50 horses and riders to take the top prize of €26,5000.
Riding the 16-year-old stallion Chat Botte ED, Twomey posted the fastest clear (35.32) of a seven-horse jump-off, finishing over a second ahead of France's Alexa Ferrer with Vitalhorse Fleur.
Cian O’Connor also made it through to the second round with Bentley de Sury and finished fourth with one fence down against the clock.
