Kenny and VDL Cartello called in after Allen and Pacino Amiro sadly ruled out of Paris Olympics
- 24 July 2024, 14:58

Bertram Allen pictured riding the Irish Sport Horse Pacino Amiro during the FEI World Championships Herning 2022. Credit: Helen Cruden
Michael Blake has chosen Darragh Kenny (Co. Offaly), with VDL Cartello, to replace Bertram Allen and Pacino Amiro (ISH) as Team Ireland’s new show jumping P Alternate combination at the Paris Olympics.
Allen and Pacino Amiro (ISH) were yesterday unfortunately ruled out of the upcoming Games after the Ballywater Stud-owned Irish Sport Horse suffered a setback in his preparations.
He has a small injury which, while not serious, is enough to mean he would not be ready to compete in Paris should he have been required.
It is very unfortunate for Allen, the horse, and his owners, particularly given the timing of the injury and its proximity to the Games, with the show jumping team qualifier taking place at the Château de Versailles on August 1st.
Team Ireland Show Jumping Chef d’Equipe Michael Blake said: “It’s obviously so disappointing for Bertram, Pacino Amiro’s owners Ballywalter Stud and everyone who looks after him at home that this has happened so close to Paris.
“We all saw how good his form was coming into the Games, jumping double clear in Aachen to help us win the five-star Nations Cup, and I know he would have done a brilliant job in Paris if he had been needed.

Darragh Kenny of Ireland riding VDL Cartello during the jumping individual qualifier at the Equestrian Park during the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
“Darragh Kenny and VDL Cartello will now come in as our P Alternate combination, and I have the utmost faith in them – Darragh has been jumping full of confidence and had a great win in Falsterbo last week.
“This combination also has Olympic experience and jumped a clear round in Tokyo to make the individual final. If they’re needed in Paris I’m sure they will do a great job for the team.”
Everyone at Horse Sport Ireland and Team Ireland are gutted for Pacino Amiro’s connections and wish him a very speedy recovery. No doubt he will be back in the arena very soon, doing what he does best, helping Ireland to achieve success on the international stage.
Speaking of the setback, Bertram Allen said: “I’m very disappointed – to be chosen for the Olympics is the highest honour in the sport so this is a tough one to take.
“While I’m obviously disappointed for myself, I’m also disappointed for Buddy as he really was in such great form coming into it and we were ready to go if we were called upon.
“I really must thank everyone in my team, Buddy’s owners at Ballywalter and his groom Lovisa Munter. The only thing left to do is wish the lads all the very best in Paris – we have a brilliant team and I’ve no doubt they’ll do us all proud.”
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