The London 2012 Olympic team silver medallist, riding Sterrehof's Dante, triumphed after a nine-rider jump-off at the RAI Amsterdam venue.

He clocked the quickest time of 34.05sec to claim his first victory of the season.

It was a Dutch one-two as Harrie Smolders came second, clocking 35.03 on board Monaco.

Belgium's Pieter Clemens was third with Quintini, ending in 35.18.

 "I never rode such a fast jump-off at this level in my life," said Houtzager. 

"The mare was fantastic today.

"Sometimes the jump-off goes as you planned and sometimes not, but today was my day."

Houtzager has moved up to eighth in the World Cup's Western European League, with the top 18 qualifying for the FEI World Cup Final in Las Vegas in April.

However, he does not intend to take Sterrehof's Dante to America, even if he earns a spot.

"Tokyo 2020 is an option for her along with Calimero, so we won't do the final this time around," he said.

The Western European League standings are led by Switzerland's Steve Guerdat, the London 2012 individual champion, on 80 points.

He collected eight penalties in Amsterdam so did not advance to the jump-off.

French city Bordeaux will host the penultimate European leg of the season on Saturday (February 8).