WEXFORD’s Bertram Allen (24) finished a successful trip across the Atlantic ocean with victory in the $210,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup in Toronto, Canada, with GK Casper.

Allen travelled stateside with two horses – GK Casper and Lafayette van Overis, beginning at the five-star show in Tryon where he won two classes, before competing in Kentucky and heading to the World Cup show in Toronto, Canada.

Saturday night’s World Cup class attracted just 22 starters and four of those kept a clean sheet over Michel Vaillancourt’s track to progress to the jump-off, including European silver and bronze medallists Ben Maher (Britain) and Jos Verlooy (Belgium), as well as Lexington winner Brian Moggre (USA).

Verlooy, riding his double European medal-winning mount Igor, set the time to beat against the clock when posting a clear in 35.41 seconds and led as Allen, one of his best friends, entered the arena.

Despite the 11-year-old GK Casper being difficult in the opening round, he settled into the speed round with ease and a series of tight turns and a good gallop saw the pair break the beam in 34.70 seconds, almost a second faster than Verlooy, to earn the top spot and $69,300.

Moggre was also clear in 35.83 seconds with MTM Vivre le Reve to finish third, ahead of Maher and Tic Tac in fourth (0/0 36.32).

Delight

Allen was elated when crossing the finish line, punching the air and bringing the sold-out crowd to their feet. “That’s what it’s all about,” Allen said afterwards. “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.”

“I was struggling a bit in the first round—all week to be honest,” he added. “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.”

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. 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 nine-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,” he added.

With his podium finish, Brian Moggre takes over the lead in the east coast sub league standings of the North American League with 56 points. Beezie Madden (USA) sits second with 49 points, and Rowan Willis (AUS) is third with 34 points.

The North American League continues with west coast action in Las Vegas this weekend. Irish riders at the venue are Greg Broderick, Brian Cournane and Conor Swail.