Allen qualifies for World Cup

Equestrian: Nineteen-year-old Bertram Allen continues to stun the world of show jumping, qualifying for the Longines World Cup final yesterday in his first season when runner-up in Zurich, Switzerland.

The result aboard the grey mare Molly Malone V elevated the Wexford rider to third in the Western European League, his impressive 51 points ensuring his peers will give him due respect when they gather for April’s final in Las Vegas.

Allen had to give way to Spain’s Sergio Alvarez Moya and the gelding Carlo on the day, but he was not too displeased, saying his focus now was on Vegas.