Allen delivers sensational World Cup win at Bordeaux

UP against some of the world’s top equestrian stars, Ireland’s 19 year-old show jumping phenomenon Bertram Allen tonight (Saturday) won his second World Cup competition outright at Bordeaux in France and propelled himself to the top of the Western European league table.

Riding Billy Twomey’s 17 year-old chestnut stallion Romanov, the Wexford rider dazzled the capacity crowd at the city’s exhibition centre with two masterful clear rounds, and clipped over a second off the time of German leader and world number two Ludger Beerbaum and Chaman in the 11 horse jump-off.

Allen astonished pundits by winning his first ever World Cup competition at Verona last November on the mare Molly Malone V, but with his Bordeaux victory may now be the youngest rider in history to claim two World Cup wins in one season.

Already qualified for the World Cup Final at Las Vegas in April, Allen’s triumph tonight in the 11th leg of the World Cup series also takes him to the top of the Longines Western European Jumping League, eight points ahead of former European Champion, France’s Kevin Staut. Allen’s prize money for tonight’s victory was 51,150 euro.

Ireland’s Denis Lynch and All Star 5 finished eighth at Bordeaux tonight after dropping one pole in the jump-off.

Bertram Allen and Romanov winning tonight at Bordeaux