BERTRAM Allen from Wexford celebrated his 15th birthday today (Sunday) by taking the Individual Gold Medal at the European Pony Show Jumping Championships in Bishop Burton, England, with a double clear on 'Acapalla Z' netting him first place against a talented international field.

Afterwards he could only say: "This is the best birthday present ever!"

And in a mirror image of last year's European Pony Championships, which were held in Belgium, Ireland have now taken the Individual European Show Jumping Gold, the Team Show Jumping Silver and the Eventing Individual Bronze medals for 2010.

Allen was also a member of the show jumping team which won the European Silver Medal on Friday and today sealed Ireland's weekend triumphs with his own victory.

Horse Sport Ireland's Pony High Performance Coach Ian Fearon said: "This was just a fantastic performance by Bertram. He incurred no penalties at all throughout the entire weekend, and his pony showed all the attributes need to win a major championship. He has been outstanding all year, from trials at home to the Nations' Cup win in Holland earlier this year, and today's medal is proof of his incredible ability."

And in today's show jumping final, Ireland's Tom Foley took sixth place with 'Dibidoe'.

Race horse trainer Aidan O'Brien's 15 year-old daughter Sarah O'Brien won the Bronze Individual Medal in Eventing at Bishop Burton, a repeat of her brother Joseph's place in 2009, both riding their mother Anne-Marie's grey gelding 'Ice Cool Bailey'.

In 2009, the Individual Show Jumping Gold Medal was won by Kellie Allen (no relation) from Co. Meath.
 

Bertram Allen