WEXFORD’s Bertram Allen got off to a strong start when taking the win in the speed class at the five-star FEI World Cup show in Helsinki, Finland, last Friday night. Riding the nine year-old grey stallion Dino W, Allen crossed the line clear in 54.29 seconds and took home the winner’s prize of €8,750.

Allen, who was 20th to go from a start-list of 46, saw off the challenge from Eric van der Vleuten and the 13-year-old bay gelding Zigali P S, a horse which began his career in Ireland first under the command of Julieanne Gaffney of JAG Equestrian before being sold to Ger O’Neill. The combination were just fractions off Allen’s time when stopping the clock in 54.97.

Finishing down the line in 13th were Ireland’s Mark McAuley and Jasco v. Bisschop, clear in 61.30. Tipperary’s Shane Breen and Laith incurred one time fault in 72.71 to finish just outside the top 20, while Sligo’s Richard Howley was unlucky to have one pole down with Dolores in 54.95 and finished 27th.

In last Saturday’s Land Rover Helsinki Grand Prix, Breen was best of the Irish contingent when he took eighth in the 1.60m feature. Riding Ipswich van de Wolfsakker, he crossed the line carrying four faults in 36.79. One place behind was McAuley and Jasco v. Bisschop who also had one on the floor in 37.38. Winner of the class was Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat and Alamo who lodged a double clear in 36.63.

Breen ended Saturday’s evening jumping on a positive note when he slotted CSF Vendi Cruz into ninth place in the 1.50m against the clock crossing the line clear in 67.53. The winner, Philipp Weishaupt and Call Me Eva, stopped the clock in a fast 57.08. Bred by Patrick Connolly from Galway and owned by Brian Cassidy, CSF Vendi Cruz (ISH) is a nine-year-old mare by Ars Vivendi out of the Cruising mare CSF Clover Cruz.

Howley was also in the ribbons when he led the victory lap in the Take Your Own Line Jumping 1.40m class. Riding Billy Lemon, he crossed the line in 45.05 to win.