BERTRAM Allen had the perfect start to his stint at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida when winning two four-star classes during week four at the Wellington venue.

Allen shipped three horses out for the rest of the 12-week season, while he will continue to go between Europe and the USA for shows on both sides of the Atlantic.

The first victory came in Wednesday’s $6,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.40m with his former top mount Quiet Easy 4, who has returned to his stable until his retirement. The 16-year-old gelding won countless class for Allen before he was sold to the Gjelsten family in Norway.

Speaking about the gelding, Allen said: “I really like him and I’ve known him a long time. This was one of my first classes back with him, and he’s really fresh, so it’s lovely to have him back.

“The owner didn’t have so much for him to do, so they said they’d send him back to me if I could retire him when he was finished. He’s nearing the end of his career now, so it’s nice to just enjoy him.

“My brother Harry had him at a national show two weeks ago and he jumped so well that I said I’d bring him here. It wasn’t originally the plan,” he added.

Casper gallops to win

Allen then won Thursday’s feature $73,000 Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup Round 4 with Ballywalter Farm’s GK Casper. The pair, who know each other very well, were among eight clear rounds from the starting 50 in the class.

All eight jumped clear in the second round, so it all came down to speed to determine the finishing order. Allen, who had the benefit of being last to go, broke the beam in 39 seconds, with USA’s Natalie Dean and Marigold Sporthorses LLC’s Jewel De Kwakenbeek nipping at their heels in a time of 39.02 seconds.

Britain’s Amanda Derbyshire rode Gochman Sport Horses LLC’s Luibanta BH (ISH), bred by Justin Burke in Co Galway into third in 39.28 seconds.

“It’s a good start and long may it continue,” said Allen afterwards. “I’m chuffed; he’s a good horse this one and very, very careful so you can really ride him at the jumps and normally he doesn’t have too many down.

“I wanted to win this class, but it wasn’t a class to take a crazy stupid risk in, so I said I’d just do as good as I can. It was very close, but thankfully it was good enough for today.”

The pair were unlucky to finish with a pole down in the jump-off of Sunday’s four-star $214,000 Marshall & Sterling Great American Insurance Group Grand Prix. From a starting field of 39 horses, 11 advanced to the jump-off set by Brazilian course designer Anderson Lima.

Allen faulted once in a time of 38.21 seconds to slot into ninth place. Victory went to USA’s Kent Farrington and Creedance (0/0 34.08).

Allen will compete in the five-star ranks at the venue this weekend before flying back to Europe momentarily. His groom Marlen Schannwell and William Hickey, his friend and rider who is based in Wellington, will look after his horses in his absence.

Jordan Coyle placed fifth in Friday’s 1.50m jump-off class at the venue. He guided the Patrick and Mary McArdle-bred Essenar Crixus (Luidam x Ard VDl Douglas) to a clear first round before faulting once against the clock for fifth place.

Darragh Kenny slotted into seventh with Babalou 41, ahead of Cian O’Connor and Excellent B in eighth.