Bertram Allen wins first leg of World Cup final

Ireland’s Bertram Allen has won the opening speed competition of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping 2015 Final (16 April), riding the talented grey mare Molly Malone.

Cool head

The 19-year-old once again showed the world’s very best how to ride against the clock, winning the class with a time of 65.45sec.

Bertram could have taken a stride out to the last, but demonstrated a cool head and experience beyond his years, explaining afterwards he didn’t want to take too many risks.

“There was a fast eight or a steady nine there, and I had already decided to go on the nine,” said the Irish rider. “I wouldn’t have changed that plan even if it meant I was going to be a half-second slower.”

Flexible friend

USA’s Rich Fellers and Flexible – a horse the same age as the Irish winning rider – were second on 66.11sec.

“Flexible feels as good as ever and the crowd took four or five years off his age!” said Rich who won the Word Cup in 2012.

France’s Patrice Delaveau and Orient Express HDC were joint third, with Dutchman Jur Vrieling riding VDL Zirocco Blue NOP, after they achieved exactly the same time of 66.44sec.

Olympic champion Steve Guerdat was fifth on Albfuehren’s Paille, while France’s Penelope Leprevost came sixth riding Vagabond de la Pomme.

In contention

Defending champions Germany’s Daniel Deusser and Cornet d’Amour were fasterthat Bertram, but a pole at the last fence saw four seconds added to their time.

This puts Daniel in tenth place, which means he is still in contention going into tomorrow’s second competition at 7pm local time.