Allen seals WEG place as Molly Malone bags RDS Grand Prix
Nineteen-year-old Bertram Allen put the final seal on his place in the World Equestrian Games (WEG) squad yesterday with victory in the €200,000 Grand Prix at the Dublin Horse Show.
His win was the cherry on the cake, ensuring Ireland a clean sweep of the international classes on the final day after Cian O’Connor and Capt Michael Kelly also tasted victory.
It was a day of mixed emotions for Capt Kelly, after he ensured the mighty mare Mo Chroi retired on a winning note in the Speed Championship.
But the day belonged to the wunderkind of Irish show jumping and even the heavy rain could not dampen the spirits of the partisan crowd that roared him on to victory aboard Molly Malone V.
The German-based Wexford teen, a rider who prefers to do his talking in the arena and does it loudly, said he was “speechless” after his win.
He conceded his performance had given his claim for a place on the squad for WEG — due to be announced “this week“, according to Ireland manager Robert Splaine — a big push in the right direction. “I think it was 50/50 before today, but the grand prix helped,” said Allen, who has been telegraphing his talent for many years, having added a European Junior Championships individual silver medal with Molly Malone V last year to his haul of European Junior team gold, and European Pony Championships individual gold and team silver.
Thirty-five riders lined out for yesterday’s contest and Allen was the only one to make the jump-off from the 11 Irish.
Eight faced the clock over a shortened course and the Irish standard bearer was in the fortunate position of being second last in, knowing four had jumped clear, the best being Kent Farrington on Uceko. The American had picked up time at the start of his round and crossed the finish line in 40.97 seconds, a generous 1.62 seconds faster than the time set by the two French riders, Thimothee Anciaume (Padock du Plessis) and Jerome Hurel (Quartz Rouge).
Allen felt confident he could better Farrington’s target and matched him for speed over the first half. However, as he approached the double, he took on the test with amazing accuracy and bravery when spotting his ideal stride some way out. It paid off and and he then cleared the penultimate to set up a dramatic finish. Molly ran to the last with characteristic enthusiasm and, with the fans imploring him to drive on, Allen had the presence of mind to take a small check for the perfect finish in 39.67 seconds.
Victory was confirmed when the crowd roared as the last rider, Canadian hotshot Ian Miller and Dixson. knocked the second part of the double.
“I watched Kent and he was very smooth throughout and took out a couple of strides, but my plan was just to ride as fast as I could and then, when I turned back to the double, there was a bit of a flyer there. I knew I had to take some chance somewhere and, thankfully, it paid off,” said Allen, who added that it “definitely” relegated his grand prix win at Lummen, Belgium, from the top spot as his greatest achievement.
He said he did his best to maintain his focus as the crowd bellowed him on to the last fence. “I could hear the crowds, but I tried to keep my concentration.”
Molly Malone was bought by the Allens as a five-year-old, when Bertram was a pony rider. Anthony Condon competed her and she appeared at Dublin Horse Show as a seven-year-old.
