Ireland's 19 year old Bertram Allen notched up his third victory at the CSIO5* event in La Baule on Saturday afternoon, winning the traditional derby competition. Allen mastered the renowned French derby course the best, finishing as the fastest rider on a score of four faults over a difficult mixture of cross country obstacles such as ditches and banks together with traditional showjumping fences.

Bertram was riding Wild Thing L (Montreux x Lux), and took the lead from just over half way down the startlist with four faults on his card and a finishing time of 141.23 seconds. British star William Whitaker on Glenavadra Brilliant (Brilliant Lad x Powerswood Purple) jumped five places later, and though also incurring four faults, was way down on speed, stopping the clock a considerable 15 seconds behind Allen to finish as runner-up.

Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat with Nasa (Cumano x Prince d'Elle), was the only other rider to come home with four faults, but was 22 seconds behind the Irish leader and settled for third place.

Allen, who picked up 15,000 euro in prize money for his win, added the derby trophy to his two other victories at La Baule - Friday’s Prix Générali speed class, also with Wild Thing L, and Thursday’s feature competition aboard the 17 year old Romanov ((Heartbreaker x Fedor).

Source: Press release from Horse Sport Ireland