CSIO5* Lummen (BEL): Bertram Allen wins the Longines Grand Prix

5 May 2014

50 combinations started in the Longines Grand Prix today, a Table 1 over two rounds with jump off. 16 of them were qualified for the second round, and 5 of them managed to stay double clear.

After a breathtaking jump off, the victory went to the young Irish rider Betram Allen with Molly Malone V (Kannan x Cavalier). The combination performed a superfast clear round in 43,56 seconds.

For the 18 years old Irish rider, who lives in Hünxe (Germany) and trains with Marcus Ehning, this was the first victory at 5* level: “Molly Malone is ten years old, and she is a really fast horse with a lot of performance. That helped a lot in the jump off. She was getting better and better as the days went by during the competition.”

Jur Vrieling and Flash Dance vd Kalevallei (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Gottwald) obtained the second place after a clear jump off in 43,90 seconds.

Jur: “Flash Dance is only nine years old, and it was his first Grand Prix at this level. Therefore, I had decided to play safe. The first round was the hardest, so I was actually already pleased to be qualified. I’ve had Flash Dance since his four years and formed him myself. I’m going to let him rest now and ride other horses for the higher levels for a while.”

The third place was for Belgian rider Jérôme Guéry, who came in with just one time penalty with V Pleasure (For Pleasure x Nabab de Reve). Jérôme Guéry: “6 months ago, V Pleasure only jumped 1m20 tests. I have been preparing him at the Sunshine Tour and the Spring Tour, and he learns really fast and is also very performant. I hope to be able to participate at some Nations Cups with him this year.”

The Italian course builder Uliano Vezzani was praised by the organizers and all the riders for his progressive courses. Without being too easy, they allowed the horses to adapt and get better each day.

Source: CSIO5* Lummen / horseweb