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.
Final results here