Allen makes Senior Nations’ Cup debut at Linz on Friday

SEVENTEEN year-old Bertram Allen makes his senior Nations’ Cup debut at Linz in Austria tomorrow (Friday) after a string of recent successes on the European circuit.

The Wexford-born rider joins Billy Twomey, Anthony Condon and Capt. Michael Kelly in the Europe Division 2 level of the Furusiyya 2013 Nations’ Cup series.

Team Ireland show jumping manager Robert Splaine said today: “Bertram Allen’s results have been excellent this year, and therefore I am delighted to be able to give him this opportunity to compete on a senior Nations’ Cup side. I am looking forward to tomorrow, as we have an interesting team, with Anthony Condon and Capt. Michael Kelly, both of whom have also had excellent results this year, making their second Nations’ Cup appearances.

“Billy Twomey will be in the role of team captain, due to his considerable experience at this level.”

Ireland has been drawn seventh to jump of eleven teams, with Twomey partnering Je t’Aime Flamenco, Allen riding Romanov, Condon on the Irish Sport Horse Special Lux, and Capt. Michael Kelly on Annestown, another Irish Sport Horse.

The two-round competition will begin at 1pm Irish time on Friday, and a live video stream of the action is available from www.feitv.org by subscription.

BREEDING

Special Lux (ISH) – 2004 bay gelding by Lux Z (HANN) out of Aishling Clover (ISH), by Coille Mor Hill (ID C1). Bred by Desmond & Seamus Judge, Knockroe, Bonniconlon, Ballina, Co. Mayo. Owner: Sue Davies. Rider: Anthony Condon (IRL)

Annestown (ISH) – 2002 bay gelding by Royal Concorde (ISH) out of Annestown Cavalier (ISH), by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Bred by Margaret Moore, Ballinagorkagh, Annestown, Co. Waterford. Owner: Minister for Defence. Rider: Capt. Michael Kelly (IRL)