THE Miami Celtics team of Bertram Allen and Michael G. Duffy were joined on the top of the Global Champions League podium by Switzerland’s Edouard Schmitz in a thrilling €4.5 million GCL Super Cup showdown at the Prague Playoffs, held at Prague’s O2 arena, on Sunday night.

The team - which also includes Galway’s Michael Duffy, USA’s Jessica Springsteen and Belgium’s Jos Verlooy, none of whom were competing at the show - took home the top prize of €1.5 million. The incredible venue was sold out and the atmosphere – with all the extra fanfare provided at this showcase event – was second to none.

The Miami Celtics team, owned by Frank and Monica McCourt of Rushy Marsh Farm, did not have a memorable season, finishing 12 of the 16 teams in the overall league, however, a strong performance in the qualifying round saw Bertram Allen (Pacino Amiro) and Michael G. Duffy (Clitschko 17) both jump clear, with just four faults to add from Edouard Schmitz (Gamin Van’t Naastveldhof).

Driving seat

That left Miami Celtics in the driving seat going into Sunday’s final, equal with Shanghai Swans but in a quicker time.

Sunday’s final saw shocks all round with the home favourite’s, Prague Lions, crashing out of 51 faults. Entering in reverse order, the Shanghai Swans added 12 faults to their tally so dropped to third place on 16 faults, but Valkenswaard United finished on a total of 12 penalties, meaning Miami Celtics had two fences in hand.

In a laser point perfect round, Allen jumped a brilliant clear before Duffy just clips two rails meaning all room for error left the building. With pressure falling on the shoulders of 23-year-old Edouard Schmitz, he entered the arena with €1.5 million to play for. The winner of this year’s Longines Grand Prix of Ireland at the Dublin Horse Show, Schmitz knows all about pressure and he duly delivered a classy clear round before a delighted packed crowd.

There were memorable scenes on the kiss and cry too as Duffy watched on in anticipation before celebrating with his brother Alex, mother Sandra and co-owner of Clitschko 17 and boss, Carl Hanley.

Duffy was still on a high when commenting: “I am just absolutely delighted. We had a great week and we had a great team spirit between us. We have loads of supporters here and family and to do it when them here is fantastic. My heart was in my mouth, I have to say, I didn’t make Edouard’s job the easiest, but he got stuck in and rode every jump on that course, he didn’t leave anything to chance. What a ride from the two boys, amazing!”

Bertram added: “We all get on very well so it was nice to fight together all week. The season wasn’t going to plan, it was a struggle to get higher up on the overall standings so we put all our eggs in one basket this week and we had three big championship jumpers and really gave it our all.”

Edouard Schmitz was still shaking talking to the media afterwards. He said: “You wish for days like this... every rider dreams of this. It was like nothing I have experienced before in my show jumping career, there was a lot at stake, we put a lot of good rounds towards the super cup final. I was very relieved to bring it through the finish line and the crowd’s reaction was unbelievable.”

Allen’s mount Pacino Amiro is a 10-year-old ISH gelding by Pacino out of the NC Amiro mare Carnone Dancing Queen. He was bred in Donegal by Simon Scott and is owned by Aiden McGrory.

The nine-year-old German-bred grey gelding Clitschko 17 (Christian 25 x Check In 2) is relatively new to the very top level of the sport and highly thought of by Duffy and his Irish owners Carl Hanley and Swiss-based Kildare show jumper Niall Talbot. Duffy has produced him all the way from a young horse to five-star level.