Irish rider Bertram Allen showcased the foot speed of his mount Lafayette van Overis on their way to a win in the $37,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.45m CSI5* on Friday, February 7, at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL.
WEF continues through March 29, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, Florida, with 12 consecutive weeks of world-class competition and $13 million dollars on offer. The fifth week of competition runs February 5 through February 9, is sponsored by Fidelity Investments®, and recognized as a CSI5* and CSI2* by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI).
Twenty-one horses jumped clear over Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) and Andy Christiansen Jr.’s (USA) speed track from a starting field of 53. Allen and the nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Tauber van het Kapelhof) posted a time of 59.91 seconds that bested Mexico’s Santiago Lambre aboard his own Doloris by less than a second for the top spot. Lambre settled for the runner-up spot in 60.71 seconds.
Allen got the ride on Lafayette van Overis in August of 2019 and made quick work of riding the horse to the top with two five-star wins at Tryon International Equestrian Center. “He was very good during my first trip to America in the fall, which was great for an eight-year-old,” said Allen, who took over the ride from Great Britain’s Joe Clee. “I eased off him a bit after that, and now he’s back. I was delighted with him today.
“He has a fantastic brain and truly understands the sport,” continued Allen with a smile. “He’s very competitive, brave, and wants to do it, so I think he’ll end up jumping a few bigger classes in the future.”
Allen will next point Lafayette van Overis at the CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m CSI5* on Sunday during the rider’s first time competing at WEF. “We have had a very good start, and hopefully we can keep it going.”
Allen pulled off a bookend podium performance by also finishing third riding Quiet Easy 4 for the Gjelsten Family with a time of 60.78 seconds. Kristen Vanderveen (USA) took fourth on Mattie Hatcher’s Sebastian with a time of 60.80 seconds, while Richard Fellers (USA) capped the five on Steelbi in 61.46 seconds for owner Kathleen Waldorf.
Also winning in the International Arena, Brazilian Olympic champion Rodrigo Pessoa topped the $37,000 Rushy Marsh Farm 1.45m CSI2* riding Carlito’s Way 6 for owner Artemis Equestrian Farm LLC. For full results, visit www.PBIEC.com.
Final Results: $37,000 Bainbridge 1.45m CSI5*
1. LAFAYETTE VAN OVERIS: 2011 BWP gelding by Kashmir van Schuttershof x Tauber van het Kapelhof
BERTRAM ALLEN (IRL), Ballywalter Stables: 0/59.91
2. DOLORIS: 2008 KWPN mare by Harley VDL x Colorado D
SANTIAGO LAMBRE (MEX), Santiago Lambre: 0/60.71
3. QUIET EASY 4: 2004 Oldenburg gelding by Quidam’s Rubin x Zapateado
BERTRAM ALLEN (IRL), Gjelsten Family: 0/60.78
4. SEBASTIAN: 2007 Selle Français stallion by Lucky Boy x QuinQuin du Valon
KRISTEN VANDERVEEN (USA), Mattie Hatcher: 0/60.80
5. STEELBI: 2008 SWB mare by Empire x Stanford
RICHARD FELLERS (USA), Kathleen Waldorf: 0/61.46
6. CALVALOU: 2007 Oldenburg gelding by Calvaro F.C. x Baloubet du Rouet
TODD MINIKUS (USA), Todd Minikus, LTD: 0/62.51
7. ZANDORA Z: 2011 Zangersheide mare by Zandor x Nabab de Reve
SHANE SWEETNAM (IRL), Seabrook LLC and Sweet Oak Farm: 0/63.94
8. CATUNGEE: 2006 Holsteiner gelding by Contact Me x Liatos
CATHERINE TYREE (USA), Mary Tyree: 0/64.02
8. COPAIN Z: 2006 Zangersheide gelding by Calvino Z x Creool
CORMAC HANLEY (IRL), Heathman Farm, LLC: 0/64.02
10. QUIRIE 2: 2007 Bayerischer stallion by Quadrigus M x Quidam’s Rubin
ALI WOLFF (USA), Ali & John Wolff: 0/64.55
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