Allen ‘surprised’ at World lead

Irish teenager Bertram Allen declared himself "surprised" to be in pole position after the first day of the show jumping contest at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France.

While the Wexford 19-year-old is making a habit of beating his peers — he won the grand prix at last month’s Dublin Horse Show — to be top of the world ahead of 152 rivals that included reigning and former Olympic and European champions was more than anybody expected, least of all the quietly-spoken Allen.

“It was a good solid round. I didn’t quite expect to be that fast and I’m surprised to be in the lead. I didn’t go all-out to risk it,” said the German-based rider, who has accumulated a host of European medals at pony and junior level.

Allen and the 10-year-old grey mare Molly Malone V were precise as they set their target early in the day, crossing the finish line in 77.01 seconds.

French fans had reason to cheer in the form of Patrice Delaveau, whose clear with the stallion Orient Express HDC was clocked at 77.18secs for second place, while Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet raced around in 77.33secs on the nine-year-old bay stallion Conrad De Hus to hold third place.

There were a number of shocks in the afternoon session, the biggest coming from Olympic champion Steve Guerdat, the Swiss rider suffering a refusal with his London gold medal ride Nino Des Buissonnets.

Clear rounds from the remainder of the Irish quartet, Darragh Kenny (Imothep), Cameron Hanley (Antello Z) and Denis Lynch (All Star 5), left Ireland in seventh place of 33 nations going into today’s first day of the nations cup. Manager Robert Splaine and his team will be aiming for a top-five place by the end of the team battle tomorrow to secure a place in the Rio Olympics.