2020 has got off to a tumultuous start and there’s a lot of uncertainty around what the rest of 2020 will hold. We thought we’d take a look back at 2019 and the beginning of this year to celebrate some of our rider’s amazing achievements!
Bertram Allen, who is just 24 years old, partnered GK Casper to the top of the class in the gelding’s World Cup debut, coming out on top after a four-horse jump-off with a brilliant clear round in 34.70 seconds.
“That’s what it’s all about. Everyone wants to win the Grand Prix, last to go, in front of a full house. It was one that I really wasn’t expecting, so it made it all the more sweet,” commented a delighted Allen.
Jos Verlooy (BEL) and Igor had led until Allen’s final round and settled for second in 35.41, while Brian Moggre (USA) finished third with MTM Vivre le Reve in 35.83.
“I was struggling a bit in the first round—all week to be honest,” Allen explained. “He went in on the first day [of the competition], and he was very spooky. He wasn’t supposed to come here as my [top] horse, as I was meant to take another one, and he had to step up a bit. I knew if I got the first round behind me, I wouldn’t have to worry about the jumps as much in the second round. I could really give it a lash.”
Bertram Allen (IRL) and GK Casper soar over the final fence and secure their win in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Toronto (CAN) (Photo: FEI/Simon Stafford)
Allen has had the 11-year-old for nearly five years, and his patience with the gelding is paying off in spades.
“He’s always been fantastic,” Allen said. “He’s a very good jumper and very careful. It’s taken him longer to get to this height. For most horses, their first season doing this [level] is as 9-year-olds. This is his first season now. I’ve always said, ‘Whatever he can jump, he can win.’ I knew he could be very competitive over here for these few weeks. He had been jumping fantastic, but we were just missing the last bit of luck. It all came through today.”
Super Cool Brash
A brilliant performance from RED MILLS Rider Scott Brash saw him take top- spot in Sunday’s five-star Longines FEI World Cup Grand Prix at Verona in Italy. Last to go in the 16 horse jump-off, Britain’s Scott Brash and Hello M’lady put in a spectacular round of jumping to take the win with a time of 35.55.
Brash collected €47,500 for his victory, with Ireland’s Darragh Kenny in 2nd and the World No.1 Steve Guerdat (SUI) finishing in third place with Alamo. Co Louth’s Mark McAuley also made it into the jump-off and would take 14th place at the finish with Vivaldi du Theil.
“I was fortunate enough to be at the end so I could see how fast I had to go. Darragh had done a really good round, he was very, very fast so I had to take all the risks today – M’Lady was really fantastic and I’m delighted with her!”
