Wexford's Bertram Allen, who is based in Germany, announced his return to the home showjumping scene with a hugely popular win in yesterday afternoon's Irish Sports Council Classic.
Riding Billy Twomey’s chestnut Heartbreaker stallion Romanov, Allen was one of 16 riders who competed in the second round against the clock where he recorded a clear in the unbeatable time of 35.14, much to the delight of the younger spectators in the stand.
Allen turned 18 last month, but just before that he won the individual silver medal at the Junior European showjumping championships in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain, with the family’s Molly Malone.
The experienced French international Roger Yves Bost finished second in 35.26 with Qoud'Coeur de la Loge, while Britain's Louise Saywell claimed third place with Hello Winner in 35.86.
Home clear
In the morning's Bewleys Hotel speed stakes, Saywell finished runner-up in 57.10 on Quantas behind Ireland's Cian O'Connor and the 12-year-old Indoctro gelding Unique, who was home clear in 56.05.
Capt Michael Kelly, a member of the Irish team which placed fourth in the nations' cup at Hickstead last week, finished third in 57.30 with the veteran mare Mo Chroi.
Niall Talbot did not have such an enjoyable time as he parted company from his Hickstead mount, Nicos de la Cense, at the first element of the double of verticals at seven in round one.