FOLLOWING a win in the season opener in Mexico, Bertram Allen’s Valkenswaard United scored a runner-up finish in last Saturday’s second round of the Global Champions League in Miami, Florida, set against the backdrop of the breathtaking turquoise ocean.

After only two events, the fight for the coveted title is already super-competitive.

Valkenswaard United held the lead heading into Saturday’s final but an upset was on the cards. A foot-perfect round on day one from Co Wexford’s Bertram Allen with Hector van d’Abdijhoeve saw the combination finish second in the class, which also counted as the first round of the league.

Allen was clear in 42.13 seconds in the seven-horse jump-off to take the lead when second last to go. However, Switzerland’s Jane Richard Philips snatched the winner’s prize of over €20,000 when jumping clear in 40.86 as last to go with Dieudonne de Guldenboom.

His Italian team mate Alberto Zorzi and Cornetto K also jumped clear for the team to finish on zero faults and in the lead going into Saturday’s second round.

Zorzi opened with another clear but eight faults from Allen, when last to jump, dropped the pair down to second place. Victory went to the London Knights duo of Ben Maher and Kent Farrington. They also finished with eight faults but in a faster time of 135.43.

Speaking after the competition, Allen said: “We got most of the hard work done, we were very good the first day and then Alberto opened the window when he was clear. Unfortunately it didn’t go our way today but we were still second and in the overall lead so we will keep the pressure on.”

Valkenswaard United go into the next leg in Shanghai, China, still holding on to the ranking lead with a total score of 55. The London Knights jump into second place with a total of 47 and the St Tropez Pirates sit in a very close third with a total of 46.

GRAND PRIX

The top 25 riders made it through to the feature event of the show, the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix.

Just four combinations managed to navigate the tricky course without fault to make it through to the jump-off.

First to go in the timed round, Belgium’s Nicola Phillippaerts and Chilli Willi set the scene riding a smooth and stylish jump-off track clear in 39.50 seconds.

Alberto Zorzi took over the lead, galloping Cornetto K to the final Longines oxer fault-free in 37.96. Notably the 11-year-old gelding by Cornet Obolensky didn’t touch a rail in two rounds and a jump-off today.

Last to go proved best, as Belgium’s Jérôme Guery and Grand Cru van de Rozenberg knew exactly what they had to do to take the win. Picking up a strong pace from start, the pair didn’t slow for a second around the fast-paced twisting track, stopping the clock in 37.39 seconds.