WEXFORD’s Bertram Allen won his third Grand Prix in as many weeks last weekend when leading the victory lap of the four-star Longines FEI World Cup qualifier in Ocala, Florida.

One week after winning the big five-star Grand Prix in Wellington with Pacino Amiro and two weeks’ after winning a three-star Grand Prix with Harley vd Bisschop, it was once again that great 15-year-old grey gelding who delivered for the 26-year-old in the final leg of the North American League.

The pair pipped compatriot Daniel Coyle into second place with his 2021 European Championship mount Legacy.

Eleven of the starting 30 advanced to Olaf Peterson’s jump-off, which featured tight turns, long galloping line, and eye-catching fences, including one uniquely constructed 1.60m plank, designed to resemble a post and rail wood fence.

Defending European Champions, Germany’s Andre Thieme and DSP Chakaria took an early lead when breaking the beams in 39.01 seconds, before Daniel Coyle, winner of this class last year, set a stiff standard with his mount Legacy in 38.03.

Co Down’s Conor Swail gave the time a good rattle with the in-form Vital Chance de la Roque but had to settle for fourth place in 39.14, which was good enough to see him top the NAL leaderboard.

Allen saved best for last, setting himself apart with an early turn and a furious gallop to the last. His winning time was 37.67 seconds to earn just over $71,000.

All smiles afterwards, Allen commented: “I’d watched the first few go in the jump-off, I’d watched as far as Andre, and he was fast. I was following the jump-off from the warm up ring, and I saw Daniel was very fast; one second faster than Andre. I was a bit confused as to where he could have saved that second.

“My horse is naturally very fast and I just knew it was going to be hard to beat Daniel. I didn’t even know if it was going to be possible, so I just set off from the start and tried to have the best round I could. It was great to come out on top.

Coyle was pleased with Ariel Grange’s 12-year-old mare who he thinks a lot of. “I knew last night when I saw the start list and I saw Bertram was last to go, I knew he was looking for blood, for me beating him yesterday,” Coyle said.

“So, if it was a jump-off situation, it was either going to be all or nothing. You can’t make a mistake in these jump-offs, and even sometimes you have the best round you can have, and you don’t have enough. Today I don’t think I could do much more.”

Thieme and DSP Chakaria settle for this place in the end ahead of Swail who ended the NAL season as points leader with 74 points, having won three World Cup events at Vancouver (CAN), Sacramento (USA) and Fort Worth (USA). Daniel Coyle also secured his final at the FEI World Cup Final which is set for April 6th-10th in Leipzig, Germany.

Coyle victory

There were three Irish in the top four of Saturday’s 1.50m ranking class at the venue when Daniel Coyle came out of top with Ariel Grange’s nine-year-old mare Ivory TCS. The pair was the best of three double clears in the seven horse jump-off in a time of 34.32 second to earn $12,200.

He beat Bertram Allen and Emmylou into second place in 35.58, while Thieme once again finished third, this time aboard Conacco (0/0 37.10). Paul O’Shea slotted into fourth with Squirt Gun when faulting once against the clock in 38.01 seconds.

On Friday, Coyle was best of the Irish in the 1.50m. Riding Legacy, he was one of 18 clears in a time of 65.67 for eventual fourth place. Winner of the class was Brazil’s Santiago Lambre and Comtess, who clocked 64.64.

Coyle was rewarded for his consistency at the venue when claiming the $10,000 Netjets Inc. Leading Rider Award.