The London International Horse Show ended in a controversial way last night, when Great Britain’s Michael Whitaker was given the win after a disqualification of Ireland’s Bertram Allen. 

Allen produced a blistering fast jump-off on Quiet Easy (Quidams Rubin x Zapateado), and was almost two seconds faster than Whitaker. As Allen was leaving the ring though, a FEI Steward doing the mandatory post-competition boot and bandage control reported to the Ground Jury that Allen’s horse had blood on the offside right flank. The Ground Jury disqualified Allen under Article 242.3.1 of the FEI Jumping Rules (available via this link). The decision was appealed, but the Appeal Committee upheld the decision of the Ground Jury that Bertram Allen was correctly disqualified from the competition.  

The class was then awarded to Michael Whitaker and Viking (Jacomar x Almox Prints). Whitaker had mixed emotion though, and commented afterwards that the class belonged to Allen. The British veteran also gave away his winning ribbon to Allen showing his support. 

Three German riders followed. Ludger Beerbaum who was second on Chiara (Contender x Coronado) was not happy with the developments at Olympia either, saying that Allen deserved the win.

Marcus Ehning ended third on Gin Chin van het Lindenhof (Chin Chin x Calido I), while Hans-Dieter Dreher ended fourth on Colore (Contender x Lord).

Allen was not the only winner disqualified during the day. Victoria Gulliksen, joint winner of the Six Bar competition, suffered the same fate. After jumping no less than five rounds on her horse Grand Balou (Balou du Rouet x Grandeur), it was discovered that Gulliksen's entry should not have been accepted and she was disqualified by the Ground Jury. 

World of Showjumping will be back with more on the disqualification of Bertram Allen.