Ireland's Aga Khan cup team could be primed for success if they can apply the right preparation and organisation for Friday's competition, according to the country's brightest showjumping talent.
At the relatively tender age of 20, the weight of Ireland’s expectations will inevitably rest upon Bertram Allen’s shoulders as the world number 7 attempts to better last year’s sixth-place finish in the RDS Dublin Horse Show’s blue-ribbon event.
"It's a five-star Nations Cup. It's always going to be very difficult and very competitive, but if we can get organised and get stuck in, we're definitely as strong on paper as anyone," said Allen, fresh from his victory in the Dinard Grand Prix in France on Sunday.
“It should be good. We have a good team here, five strong riders. I think we won’t be far away if it all goes to plan.”
Nemesis
Despite last year’s dominant performance from a highly-rated USA team, Allen is of the firm belief that our nearest neighbours may well prove our greatest nemesis in the quest for first place later this week.
"Britain are always strong here, they always like winning here. They have Scott Brash and a lot of their best riders are here. It won't be easy, and there'll be plenty there knocking on the door come Friday."
Allen, an Enniscorthy native, left Ireland at 16 to pursue his riding career in Germany.
He admits the change was tough at the beginning, but having acclimatised to his new environment admirably over the past four years, the reigning Longines Grand Prix champion now relishes any opportunity to compete on home soil.
‘Brilliant’
“It’s the most important show all year for an Irish rider . . . We don’t get to compete too much in Ireland so to get home and show everyone what we’re doing is brilliant.”
Allen concedes his meteoric development is “abnormal” and ahead of schedule, and he believes the current crop of young Irish showjumpers filtering into senior ranks can orchestrate a return to the glory days for the sport domestically.
“We have the best riders in the world really, especially young riders . . . Hopefully, if we get the right horses and sponsors behind us, we’ll definitely be back up there as a force to be reckoned with.”
