THERE was a thrilling finish to a sensational weekend of show jumping in the Longines Global Champions Tour of Stockholm with Wexford international Bertram Allen closing with a win on Pacino Amiro (ISH) in the 1.55m jump-off class.

The Swedish Olympic Stadium was filled to the rafters as Allen defeated Daniel Deusser on Jasmien vd Bisschop to take the win by just 0.04secs. In front of passionate crowds, home hero Peder Fredricson finished the podium off to take bronze on Catch Me Not S, clear in 36.28.

Bertram Allen told GCTV: “All the riders have been talking about it all week, how the atmosphere here is literally one of the best shows all year for that. I was very motivated for today and I wanted to make the most of it. It was definitely a thrilling jump-off, it was fast and with Daniel and Peder both having good rounds I knew I had to take a lot of risks. My horse jumped fantastic today so it was nice to come out on top.”

Jérôme Guery was the first to deliver clear with Azaria Dinero, stopping the clock in 36.38 for eventual fourth. Georgina Bloomberg and Tulara Colmine put in a top effort with a smooth and effortless double clear in a time of 39.39 for fifth place.

Marlon Modolo Zanotelli on Luigi d’Eclipse was fastest of the four-faulters in 36.54 for sixth place, ahead of Michael G. Duffy with Clitschko who had a rail down in 40.32 to take seventh.

The crowd once again cheered as Allen and Pacino Amiro entered the arena. The huge-striding horse, owned by Aiden McGrory and bred by Donegal’s Simon Scott, powered around the course, the pair exactly level with Deusser at the halfway stage. They sprinted down the final line and took an angle to the last, shaving milliseconds off the time to take victory in 35.92s

Nations Cup disappointment

Meanwhile, over in Prague, Michael Blake’s team finished sixth overall in the three-star Nations Cup in the Czech Republic. Kilkenny’s Jack Ryan and the Irish Sport Horse BBS McGregor delivered a double clear. Owned and bred by Marguerite Ryan, the gelding is by Cardento (HOLST) out of Random Chance (ISH) by Mark Twain (TB). Trevor Breen and Germaine W delivered a clear first round. David Simpson (Foudre F) unfortunately finished on 20 faults, while Billy Twomey (Gb Celine) racked up 16 faults. Victory went to The Netherlands following a jump-off with the home team who finished second.

David Simpson took third place in Saturday’s CSIO3* 1.50m when he delivered a clear with Medoc De Toxandria in 41.64. In total 46 combinations went to post with 11 booking their place against the clock from which six delivered double clears. Simpson also claimed Thursday’s runner-up place in the CSIO3* - W Diamond Tour 1.45m. Riding Brian Cassidy’s 11-year-old gelding, he delivered a clear in 65.45.