Tag Archives: Bertram Allen

Competitions, Show Jumping

Bertram Allen Brings His Best in Adequan CSI5* WEF Challenge Cup Round 9

Forty-four elite show jumping combinations contested the $78,000 CSI5* Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round 9 on Thursday at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). The battle for the win pitted riders representing the nation of Ireland against one another, but it was young professional Bertram Allen who raced to the lead with his experienced partner, Pacino Amiro.

Heavy-hitting course designer Alan Wade (IRL) produced another worthy challenge in the third of four five-star rated competitions during the Wellington Equestrian Realty-sponsored WEF 9 at Wellington International. After the completion of the first round, only three riders advanced to the jump-off. Darragh Kenny (IRL) produced the first successful effort early in round one and fellow countryman, Allen, quickly followed suit to ensure a jump-off. The two Irishmen would remain as the only successful contenders on the course until the USA’s Schuyler Riley piloted Robin De Ponthual into contention.

“I’ve never seen a WEF Challenge here where only three were clear in the first round, so it was a much more tactical jump-off than normal,” stated Allen. “It was a huge advantage going after Darragh because I saw one or two places in his jump-off where I could get the better of him if I left the rails up.”

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Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation

Bertram Allen and Emmylou Storm to Victory in KASK CSI3* Grand Prix

Bertram Allen & Emmylou. Photo © Sportfot.

The Winter Equestrian Festival’s (WEF) Week 6, sponsored by KASK, came to a close on Sunday with the final classics of World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Week in the International Ring and the KASK CHF140,000 CSI3* Grand Prix on the grass Derby Field at Equestrian Village. Irish Olympian Bertram Allen and the speedy Emmylou topped a 10-horse jump-off in the day’s featured international class.

Coming off a win earlier in the season in the Wellington Equestrian Realty CSI4* 1.45m with Emmylou, a 10-year-old Irish-bred mare (Cabachon x San Patrignano Mister) owned by Ballywalter Stables, Allen bested runner-up Cathleen Driscoll (USA) by nearly two seconds on Sunday. She rode Arome for owner Plain Bay Farm, and Canada’s Amy Millar rounded out the top three riding Truman for Millar Brooke Farm & Overlund.

“The jump-off went to plan,” said Allen of his blistering pace. “My horse is naturally very fast so I just tried to keep it as smooth as I could. Obviously, the jump-off was still big and there were quite a few faults in it, so I tried to get the right medium between going fast enough and keeping all the jumps up.”

Tom Wachman Takes Birthday Week Win in Hermès U25 Grand Prix

The final morning of WEF 6 kicked off with just over 70 of the sport’s top up-and-coming young riders taking to the grass derby field at Equestrian Village. The CHF25,000 Hermès U25 Grand Prix launched a full day of top sport to cap the week with Ireland’s Tom Wachman claiming a win just two days after his 18th birthday.

Riding Coolmore Showjumping‘s 10-year-old KWPN mare I’m Here (Carambole x Numero Uno), Wachman produced two fault-free efforts throughout the first round and eleven-horse jump-off. The short-course contenders represented six individual countries.

Coming off a win in the Wellington Equestrian Realty CSI3* 1.45m earlier in the week aboard Lazzaro Delle Schiave, Wachman was at it again with a new mount. “I just started riding her at the beginning of WEF, but she’s had a great start to the season and won two classes here during WEF 4,” said Wachman.

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Competitions, FEI, Show Jumping

Bertram Allen and Harley vd Bisschop Thrill in 11-Horse Jump-Off

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Bertram Allen (IRL) riding Harley vd Bisschop (FEI/Shannon Brinkman)

Bertram Allen (IRL) competes in the already-concluded Western European League, but that didn’t stop him from journeying to Live Oak Stud in central Florida (USA) for the final North American League qualifier of the 2021-2022 season. He rode Harley vd Bisschop straight to the top of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Ocala, besting an 11-horse jump-off.

“He’s 14 and an experienced horse,” Allen said of his mount. “He loves the grass, and the ground here is fantastic.”

A star-studded cast of athletes lined up for one last opportunity to earn NAL points toward qualification for the 2022 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Leipzig (GER). The field included points leader Conor Swail (IRL), defending event champion Daniel Coyle (IRL), and Hunter Holloway (USA), who took an NAL win in Las Vegas (USA).

Eleven advanced to Olaf Peterson’s (GER) jump-off, which featured tight turns, long gallop lanes, and eye-catching fences, including one uniquely constructed 1.60m plank, designed to resemble a post and rail wood fence.

Each combination seemed to outpace the next. Defending European Champions Andre Thieme (GER) and DSP Chakaria took an early lead (39.01 seconds), until Coyle set a stiff standard with his mount, Legacy (38.03).

“I saw that Daniel was maybe over a second quicker than [Andre], which I didn’t think was possible. So, I knew I had to give it everything, and it all came off and everything was actually very fast and well, and he really tried hard,” said Allen.

Allen saved best for last, setting himself apart with an early expedient turn and a furious gallop to the last. His winning time was 37.67 seconds.

“I think the main thing was to just stay [on the pace],” he said. “I maybe added one more [stride] to the double, and then we were very fast. I hoped we’d won it at the last.”

Swail (IRL) finished fourth Sunday, but he ended the NAL season as points leader with 74 points, having won three World Cup events at Vancouver (CAN), Sacramento (USA), and Fort Worth (USA). Tiffany Foster (CAN) finished second with 59 points, with Natalie Dean (USA) third on 41 points.

Ocala competitors Coyle, Holloway, Rowan Willis (AUS), Kristen Vanderveen (USA), Margie Engle (USA), and Schuyler Riley (USA) also punched their tickets to Leipzig. The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final is set for 6-10 April 2022.

FULL RESULTS

By Catie Staszak

FEI Media Contact:

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Déjà Vu for Bertram Allen and Pacino Amiro in $406k Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix CSI5* at WEF

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Bertram Allen and Pacino Amiro. © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – February 26, 2022 – Irish Olympian Bertram Allen made history at the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) as he scored back-to-back grand prix victories on the same two weeks he had also won in 2021. A two-time winner of WEF 6’s IDA Development Grand Prix CSI3* in 2021 and 2022, Allen again rose to the top on Saturday, February 26, 2022, in the $406,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix CSI5* with Pacino Amiro, the same mount he rode to victory in 2021.

Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) and Andy Christiansen (ECU) set a challenging track for the 40 entries in the “Saturday Night Lights” class. Five were able to go clear over the first-round course while 12 fell victim to just one rail down. Fifteen countries were represented in the grand prix order, with four flags in the jump-off.

Bliss Heers praised the course designers, saying, “It’s always tough building here because of the level of competitors and horsepower. You want something difficult enough, but not something that will scare the horses because you want to keep them confident that the Saturday night class is going to be a good class. They did a great job, and it was fair.”

First to return for the jump-off was Olympian Daniel Bluman (ISR) and Ladriano Z, a 14-year-old Zangersheide gelding by Lawito x Baloubet Du Rouet owned by Over the Top Stables LLC. With a rail for four faults and a time of 45.59 seconds, Bluman finished in fourth place.

Allen was next in, and he opened up Pacino Amiro’s giant stride to gallop across the jump-off clear in 44.14 seconds.

Success from the Start for Catherine Kramer and Gotye in Ariat National Adult Medal

On Saturday in the FarmVet Ring, 16 horse-and-rider combinations took to the course in the Ariat National Adult Medal. Holding on to their lead with a high score of 87, Catherine Kramer, of Indianapolis, IN, and Gotye took top honors after further testing.

The top four were brought back to test in reverse order, entering the ring individually and immediately picking up the counter-canter on a direct route to their first fence. The additional testing began after the top four entries were called, the test read, and the announcement of “no further schooling” was made.

Kramer and Gotye, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Lisa Carlsen, have only recently started competing together, but have already had other successes, including wins in the Ariat National Adult Medal during WEF 6 and the Bruno Delgrange Palm Beach Medal during WEF 4.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Competitions, Show Jumping

Bertram Allen Repeats Victory in $140k IDA Development Grand Prix CSI3*

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Bertram Allen and Harley VD Bisschop. © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – February 20, 2022 – The sixth week of the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), sponsored by IDA Development, concluded on Sunday, February 20, with a day full of show jumping on the grass Derby Field at Equestrian Village while hunters continued on the main stage of the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Olympian Bertram Allen (IRL) sped to victory for the second year in row in the $140,000 IDA Development Grand Prix CSI3*, this year riding his own Harley VD Bisschop.

Forty-five entries took to the field to contest the three-star grand prix over a course designed by Ana Catalina Harris Cruz (MEX). Fifteen competitors found the key to a clear round, and with one retirement from the jump-off, 14 contested the short course.

2020 Tokyo Olympic Games individual gold medalist Ben Maher (GBR) and Oakingham Stud’s Faltic HB were the eighth to go in the jump-off list, chasing a time of 42.47 seconds set by Harrie Smolders (NED) and Monaco, owned by Evergate Stables, LLC. Maher galloped through the course and set the new time to beat at 40.92 seconds.

The two subsequent riders made a good bid for the lead but finished just off the pace: Conor Swail (IRL) and his own Count Me In were double clear in 41.84 seconds for fourth place, while Nayel Nassar (EGY) and Coronado, owned by Evergate Stables, LLC, finished in 42.30 seconds for fifth place. Barnmate Smolders ended up in sixth place.

Following Nassar in the ring was Olympian Eduardo Pereira de Menezes (BRA) with H5 Sport Horses LLC’s H5 Elvaro. They slotted into third place with a final time of 40.95 seconds, just three-hundredths of a second off Maher’s time.

With the best position in the order, Allen and Harley VD Bisschop were the final combination into the jump-off. With a giant gallop and flowing rollbacks, the pair flew through the timers in a class-winning 39.66 seconds.

Grace Debney and Boheme de la Roque Turn and Burn Their Way to Another Victory in the $25,000 Hermès Under 25 Grand Prix

Young riders took to the Derby Field first thing Sunday morning, with 74 combinations on the list to challenge Ana Catalina Cruz Harris’s carefully designed track for the $25,000 Hermès Under 25 Grand Prix. While the course proved challenging, 15 riders found the clear path to advance to the jump-off. After an electric race over the short course, it was Grace Debney (GBR) and her partner Boheme de la Roque who added yet another blue ribbon to their growing collection.

Ashley Vogel (USA) was the third rider on the grass this morning with her horse Ceres van het Moeshof, and she set the pace in the jump-off, going clear in 41.99 seconds. She would eventually finish in sixth place as the time to beat got faster and faster with each rider who followed.

Caelinn Leahy (USA) managed to slice the leading time down to 39.35 seconds with Steve Schaefer’s Coldplay 31. It looked like Leahy’s time couldn’t be caught, though Ireland’s Francis Derwin came close, crossing the timers in 40.47 seconds with Scarlett du Sart, owned by Vlock Show Stables LLC.

Two horses later, it was Grace Debney’s chance to turn on the gas with her superstar mare, Boheme de la Roque. They gave it their all to shave just a fraction of a second off of Leahy’s time to claim victory in 39.20 seconds. Leahy finished in second, and Derwin rounded out the top three.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

*Featured/Spotlights, Show Jumping

Equestrianism’s Finest Head to CHI Geneva for Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final and Rolex Grand Prix

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Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday 7 December 2021 – The Concours Hippique International de Genève (CHI Geneva) returns to the Palexpo arena from 9-12 December for the 60th edition of the prestigious show. The Rolex Grand Prix and the Rolex International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) Top 10 Final are notable highlights during four days of elite competition.

The partnership between Rolex and the Geneva International Horse Show was established in 1996, with 2021 marking the 25-year anniversary, and remains a key element of the brand’s long-standing commitment to equestrianism that dates back more than 60 years. Inaugurated in 1926, the event is among the most revered on the equestrian calendar, demonstrating an unwavering dedication to continuous improvement and quality that fits perfectly with Rolex’s own pursuit of perpetual excellence.

THE ROLEX GRAND PRIX

The competition will culminate on Sunday with the Rolex Grand Prix, one of the four Majors that form the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. As ever, it will be a showcase of the precision, bravery, and athleticism required by horse and rider, working in harmony to take on the challenge set by world-renowned course designers Gérard Lachat of Switzerland and Louis Konickx of the Netherlands.

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, comprising The Dutch Masters, the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament, the CHIO Aachen, and the CHI Geneva, was initiated in 2013 and rewards a rider who wins three consecutive Grands Prix at these events. The most coveted prize in show jumping, it has been achieved by only one athlete, Scott Brash of Great Britain, whose epic feat began at Geneva in 2014 and was completed with victories at Aachen and Spruce Meadows in 2015.

Germany’s Daniel Deusser heads to Geneva as the current live contender for the Rolex Grand Slam following his exceptional performance at Aachen in September, taking victory aboard Killer Queen VDM.

THE ROLEX FAMILY OF TESTIMONEES

A strong roster of Rolex Testimonees will challenge Deusser for the Rolex Grand Prix title. Leading the way will be home favourites Martin Fuchs and Steve Guerdat.

Fuchs will be hoping to retain his crown following a successful year that has included team gold and individual silver medals at the European championships. The Swiss World No. 4 said: “CHI Geneva is particularly special for me as it’s my home Major and a show that I always want to do well at. Winning the Rolex Grand Prix in 2019 was an unbelievable feeling and I will be doing my very best to repeat my performance.”

Guerdat is a three-time winner (2006, 2013, and 2015) of the CHI Geneva Rolex Grand Prix, and was also victorious in the 2010 and 2018 Rolex IJRC Top 10 Finals. He heads to Palexpo with the prospect of securing a Rolex Grand Slam bonus after winning the CP ‘International’ at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ earlier this year.

Brash, currently ranked No. 6 in the world, also understands the accuracy, courage, and determination required to win a Major, as does Kent Farrington, winner of this event in 2017 with his brilliant mare, Gazelle. France’s Kevin Staut and Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa join the roll of former winners looking to reclaim the title, while Ireland’s Bertram Allen and Great Britain’s Harry Charles will be seeking to add their names to this illustrious list.

THE ROLEX IJRC TOP 10 FINAL

In the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final, the world’s top 10 ranked riders compete against each other for the right to be crowned champion. The unique event, which in 2021 celebrates its 20th anniversary, has been supported by Rolex since its inauguration, and acknowledges the achievements of the best show jumpers over the course of the season.

Farrington will contest the 2021 edition as reigning champion, having ridden Austria 2 to victory in 2019. His second success – the American also triumphed in 2015 – marked the seventh consecutive win for a Rolex Testimonee in the event. He will be up against a strong contingent of in-form riders, including Deusser, Fuchs, Brash, Guerdat, and Staut.

IJRC Director Eleonora Ottaviani commented: “We are extremely proud to support this unique concept, bringing together the best riders in the world each year. As with the Nitto ATP Finals in tennis, the Top 10 Final is unparalleled in equestrian sport, producing the finest level of competition from the world’s best athletes. In 2021 we mark the 20th anniversary of the event, a testament to its long-standing success, made possible through the partnership with Rolex, a brand that has demonstrated a continuous and invaluable commitment to equestrianism for more than 60 years.”

Virginie Chevailler
Rolex SA
virginie.chevailler@rolex.com
+41 (0) 22 302 2619

Merrick Haydon
rEvolution
mhaydon@revolutionworld.com
+44 (0) 7748 186 833

Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Bertram Allen Is Brilliant in $401,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix CSI5*

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Bertram Allen and Pacino Amiro © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – February 27, 2021 – The highlight class of the seventh week of the 2021 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) was the $401,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix CSI5*, and Bertram Allen (IRL) was brilliant with Pacino Amiro, owned by Aiden McGrory, for victory on Saturday, February 27.

Riding over a challenging course set by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) and Andy Christiansen (ECU) that featured the open water, a triple combination, and two double combinations, five riders found the path to a clear round and advanced to the jump-off out of 40 starting entries.

The first to return for the jump-off were Lorcan Gallagher (IRL) and VDL Cartello, owned by Heathman Farm, LLC. They had one rail down to finish in fifth place in 38.47 seconds.

Immediately following, Allen and Pacino Amiro sped through the course in 35.32 seconds, a time that couldn’t be caught by the remaining three competitors.

Lauren Reid and Norway Earn the Championship Ribbon in the Adult Amateur Equitation

Equitation competition wrapped up on Saturday in FarmVet Ring 7 with the completion of the Adult Amateur Equitation division. Twenty-four riders entered the division, and in the end, Lauren Reid and her own Norway earned the tricolor ribbon to finish the day. Reid piloted Norway to two firsts and a second place finish.

Reid, of Kiawah Island, SC, and Norway started the division with a blue ribbon in the flat class and then remained near the top throughout both over fences classes. The duo has a strong partnership, which helped them successfully navigate the technical courses.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Bertram Allen and Castlefield Vegas Win $137k IDA Development Grand Prix CSI3*

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Bertram Allen (IRL) and Castlefield Vegas © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – February 21, 2021 – Opening the final day of week six at the 2021 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), it was Bertram Allen (IRL) and Castlefield Vegas, owned by Martin Egan, taking the top spot in the 137,000 IDA Development Grand Prix CSI3* held on the grass Derby Field at Equestrian Village, on Sunday, February 21.

In the first round of Sunday’s grand prix, the final line on course featured a triple combination [vertical, oxer, vertical] followed by five strides down to the IDA Developments oxer, the final jump on course. This combination of jumps proved to be one of the most difficult sections of the track designed by Catsy Cruz (MEX). A starting field of 45 combinations challenged the course, with 18 qualifying to return for the jump-off.

Fresh off their victory in the Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup on Friday, Allen and the 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding by Cassino x Lux Z did it again, putting forth a blistering double-clear effort to stop the clock in 37.10 seconds.

Walker Welcomes a Win in $25,000 Hermès Under 25 Grand Prix

It was Sam Walker (CAN) and Marbill Hill Farm’s Coralissa who jumped to the top of the leaderboard after 63 horse-and-rider combinations took to the Derby Field in the $25,000 Hermès Under 25 Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon, with nine pairs returning to the jump-off round set by designer Catsy Cruz (MEX).

Walker and the 2010 Holsteiner mare by Com Air were one of two combinations to put in two fault-free rounds, finishing the short course in 43.89 seconds. “This past year with the pandemic, I pretty much took a full year off from competition,” said Walker. “To come back out here and do so well today, to feel her still in her prime, it really means a lot to me.”

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Allen and Castlefield Vegas Capture $37k Adequan WEF Challenge Cup Round 6 CSI3*

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Bertram Allen (IRL) and Castlefield Vegas. © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – February 19, 2021 – On the grass Derby Field at Equestrian Village, Ireland’s Bertram Allen and Castlefield Vegas, owned by Martin Egan, finished in top form to take the victory in the $37,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round 6 CSI3* on Friday, February 19, at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).

A field of 86 combinations challenged the class in hopes of qualifying for Sunday’s $137,000 IDA Development Grand Prix CSI3*. Catsy Cruz (MEX) continued her duties as course designer for the week, setting the 1.50m with 16 jumping efforts, narrowing the field to 24 to qualify for the jump-off and 16 elected to return.

Last to go in the order, Allen and the 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding by Cassino x Lux Z posted the fastest time of the day, leaving all the jumps in their cups in 36.09 seconds.

Amateur and Junior Hunter Riders Take the Spotlight Friday on of WCHR Week

The third day of the World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) week featured junior and amateur 3’3” hunter divisions in the International Arena. Junior and amateur 3’6” hunter riders began their divisions in order to compete for a spot in Saturday night’s $50,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular.

The Junior Hunter 3’3” 15 and Under division came to an end in the International Arena on Friday and was held in a California split format with two riders being named champion, and three riders earning the reserve title. Rylynn Conway, of Fair Haven, NJ, and Mountain King Ranch LLC’s Perseus YC took home the champion ribbon for Section A of the division, after they earned a high score of 88 on Friday to win the stake class. Conway piloted the 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Paparazzo to two firsts and a second-place finish.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Bertram Allen and Pacino Amiro Soar to Victory in $37k Adequan WEF Challenge Cup Round 2

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Bertram Allen and Pacino Amiro. © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – It was a winning Friday afternoon for Ireland’s Bertram Allen who piloted the talented nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Pacino Amiro to a top finish on Thursday, January 21, in the $37,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round 2 at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).

Dominic Gibbs and Cent 15 Earn a Victory in the Platinum Performance USEF Show Jumping Talent Search 2*

The Platinum Performance USEF Show Jumping Talent Search 2* took place on Friday morning in Ring 6 with 26 riders competing for the top honors. In the end, Dominic Gibbs and Mountain King Ranch LLC’s Cent 15 impressed the judges in both the over fences and flat phases of the class to take home the blue ribbon.

Gibbs, of Colorado Springs, CO, has become a popular name to watch for in the equitation classes with his partner Cent 15. The pair is going into their third WEF season together under the tutelage of Beacon Hill Show Stables.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.