BERTRAM Allen picked up Ireland’s only international show jumping win at the five-star London Olympia Horse Show last week when winning Saturday’s Christmas Tree Stakes with Gin Chin van het Lindenhof.

Twenty two combinations lined out over the 1.55m track with 10 of those making it through to the second round against the clock. Dutchman Harrie Smolders held the lead when he posted a time of 31.14 seconds, but Allen knew what was needed.

With Ballywalter Bloodstock’s 11-year-old gelding by Chin Chin, Allen navigated every turn on the course with perfect conviction and broke the beam in 30.76 to take the top spot and collect €6,250.

Smolders settled for second place with Cas (Indoctro x Numero Uno), a horse previously ridden by Ireland’s Cameron Hanley, while France’s Simon Delestre was third with Gain Line (0/0 32.63).

Speaking afterwards, Allen said coming to Olympia feels a bit more local than European shows. “It is definitely the closest we get to home all year bar Dublin. It’s fantastic, everything bit more like home and you see plenty of Irish people knocking around here for the week so it’s a bit like a home show.”

Talking about his win, he added: “Harrie (Smolders) was very fast so I knew I really had to nail it to beat him. I went in and gave it my all and thankfully it was enough tonight.

“At this level, to beat the likes of Harrie, you have to nail everywhere and get it like you want it. He (Gin Chin van het Lindenhof) is a relatively new horse to me, he came from Marcus Ehning so he’s very well-schooled and I’ve already had a bit of success with him so it’s an exciting horse.”

Cian O’Connor placed third in Friday’s 1.45m Table A class with his own and Ballywalter Bloodstock’s It’s Me (Cicero Z van Paemel x Poor Boy). The gelding, who won under Bertram Allen two weeks ago in Stockholm, was clear in 48.24 seconds. Victory went to Francois Jr Mathy and Falco Van De Clehoeve (0/ 47.34).

Allen was best of the Irish in Saturday night’s 1.60m World Cup Qualifier when finishing in sixth place with Molly Malone V. The 13-year-old mare just tipped out the first part of the combination in the difficult class, which was eventually won by Frenchman Julien Epaillard.

Molly is the apple of Allen’s eye. “She is an absolute sweetheart,” he said. “She’s fantastic, and she’s still so fit and healthy and that’s why I try to aim her for the high days and she seems to still be in great nick and loving it.”

Epaillard became the second French rider to win the class at the London arena, beating the home favourite Scott Brash into second place with Ursula. Just four combinations made it through to Bob Ellis’ jump-off.

Edwina Tops-Alexander shot to the top of the Western European League when she placed third with Anthina Onassis’ stunning nine-year-old Inca Boy van T Vianahof.

GRAND PRIX

Alberto Zorzi’s Olympia debut ended in the best way possible, with a superb victory in The Turkish Airlines Olympia Grand Prix, the first win in the class for an Italian rider, on Athina Onassis’ Contanga.

Smolders crowned a great year with second place on Zinius, helping him win the Leading Rider of Show table. Michael Whitaker gave the home crowd something to cheer about when third on Jb’s Hot Stuff.

Twelve horses went through to the jump-off but only five jumped double clear, including fourth-placed Maikel Van der Vleuten from the Netherlands on Dana Blue and Tops-Alexander once again put in a fabulous performance on Inca Boy van T Vianahof.

Zorzi said of his 13-year-old mare: “I think she is the best horse in the world, very scopey, very special. The feeling over a fence is amazing. This is an amazing indoor show. I love the Christmas atmosphere and am so happy to be here.”