WEG showjumping: youngest rider Bertram Allen holds lead

Irish teenager Bertram Allen, the youngest rider competing in the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games showjumping, won the opening speed leg riding Molly Malone V.

The 19-year-old’s winning round helped put the Irish squad into seventh place, behind first day leaders France.

“It’s a bit unexpected — to end up winning the class is a big bonus,” said Bertram. “I had a smooth, good round and the plan was to give her a good run today.”

Lying second individually is Patrice Delaveau for France with Orient Express HDC with Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet third riding Conrad De Hus.

In the team standings, Sweden currently hold the silver medal position with USA in bronze, ahead of Germany, the Netherlands and Canada.

Great Britain complete the first day in 11th after clear rounds from Michael Whitaker (Viking), Joe Clee (Utamaro D’Eccaussines), Spencer Roe (Wonder Why) and a 4sec penalty for Scott Brash (pictured right), who has been suffering from a bad bout of food poisoning, left the team in a “solid position”. There are two more days of jumping ahead before the team medals are decided. Michael Whitaker is the best British rider in the individual standings, in 42nd.

“It’s unbelievable to do a clear round at my first World Games,” said 21-year-old Spencer. “If you’d told me a year ago I would be doing this, I wouldn’t believe you! The first two guys did brilliantly — I couldn’t ask for better teammates.”

“It nearly went to plan today,” said Great Britain’s performance manager Rob Hoekstra. “We wanted three solid rounds, then Scott could have a go, and it nearly worked — till he knocked that jump down! But he was still pretty quick.

“Spencer rode a super round — we made a plan for him, what to do and what kind of speed to go at, and he did exactly that and I think that horse will come back tomorrow and jump a really good round.

“We would have liked to be a bit closer to the leaders — we wanted to be within a jump of them and we’re two jumps behind — so it’s OK. but a bit further behind than we’d like to be.”

Team standings after day one:

1. FRA (2.08)
2. SWE (3.01)
3. USA (4.72)
4. GER (4.82)
5. NED (4.83)
6. CAN (6.00)
7. IRL (6.51)
8. BEL (9.53)
9. COL (9.86)
10. QAT (11.01)
11. GBR (12.39)

Individual standings after day one:

1. Bertram Allen (Molly Malone V) IRL

2. Patrice Delaveau (Orient Express HDC) FRA

3. Gregory Wathelet (Conrad De Hus) BEL

42. Michael Whitaker (Viking) GBR

43. Scott Brash (Hello Sanctos) GBR

48. Joe Clee (Utamaro D’Ecaussines) GBR

65. Spencer Roe (Wonder Why) GBR

The competition continues tomorrow (Wednesday, 3 September) – follow us on twitter @horseandhound and via the website for all the news and updates.

The full report appears in next week’s issue of H&H magazine, out Thursday 11 September.

Jennifer Donald

H&H showjumping editor

Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.