In the opening speed leg of the competition at Casas Novas Equestrian Center in A Coruña, Spain, the pair jumped a foot-perfect clear in a time of 78.58sec – some 4sec off the pace of the leaders – to sit in 20th position at the end of day one, with Ireland progressing to Thursday’s second leg in seventh place.
A late call-up for the European Showjumping Championships
“He’s been a very good horse for us and since 2023 he’s been part of winning teams,” says Denis. “We did exactly what we thought he was going to do here on day one – he was nice and relaxed. We just wanted to get a nice run on his belt.
“But you can’t make a Land Rover into a Ferrari!” continues Denis. “My fella is a very big horse. He’s a steady horse. So I can only take out of him what he’s going to give, and that’s riding around there between 77 to 79 seconds.
“We’ve a good, strong team – a good bunch of lads,” says Denis of the Irish team; he is joined by Bertram Allen (Qonquest De Rigo), Seamus Hughes Kennedy (ESI Rocky) and Darragh Kenny with Eddy Blue on the Irish team.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“Please God, the team can keep it together,” says Denis. “But what will be will be.”
A blue-blooded British-bred stallion
The 12-year-old AES stallion Vistogrand was bred and produced in Great Britain, finishing runner-up in the Big Star six-year-old final with his breeder Carron Nicol. Vistogrand is a third generation home-bred for Carron, out of her Fantaland mare Vistolano by the stallion Mr Visto. Carron bred Fantaland out of her top mare Fantasia (by Noncorde).
After an exciting early career, Shane Breen took the ride on Vistogrand in 2020, with Denis Lynch buying him three years ago.
“He has a lot of blood and a lot of temperament – he’s a very powerful stallion,” says Denis.
Denis Lynch and Vistogrand continue their progress for Team Ireland at the European Showjumping Championships on Thursday 17 July.
To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.
