Thursday, 27 June 2013 International Show Jumping

His name is Allen, Bertram Allen!

Although only 17 years old, he is extremely talented. His horses are called Wild Thing and Zenzation, which says quite a lot about their rider. It was his European Championship titles in the pony class that first made the highly gifted junior from Ireland famous. The sports media however only really took notice when at the tender age of 16 he began to beat the big names. His riding style? Breathtaking! Competitions with him? Spine tingling!

Always fighting like a lion in the arena, the young Irishman becomes one with his horse: his feel for the right distances is incredible, the turns are on the spot and the jumps stylistically impeccable. Even experienced riders are now slightly in awe of Bertram, as hardly anyone can ride as coolly and as well as he does.

The 17-year-old Irishman is tipped for a great future in the equestrian world. You can see for yourself at the International Show Jumping to be held at the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER from 4 July.

A bond began to develop between the modest young man and his equine friends at an early age. Since his father was a dedicated horse lover, Bertram had his first lessons as a child. He loved riding right from the outset and so an exceptional success story was born.

For this fifteenth birthday on 1 August 2010, he gave himself the best birthday present: winning individual gold and team silver in the pony class at the European Championships in Bishop Burton (GBR). 

As a junior, he took team gold at the European Championships in Magna Racino, Lower Austria, last year. This year he won the European Youngster Cup at the CSI5* in Paris and in May even the Grand Prix in the Magna Racino Spring Tour. He caused another sensation as the youngest Nations Cup rider in the history of equestrian sport at the CSIO in Linz with two bold clear rounds.

Bertram now lives in Hünxe (GER) and his parents come to the major competitions. It is important to him that he and his eight horses do not have to make the tiring trip to the mainland every time he wants to take part in “a really good event”. The young man has set his sights on specific goals: “I want to qualify for the Junior Europeans in Spain in July and it would be brilliant to be selected for a Senior Nations Cup again. In addition, I’d also like to compete in the Dublin Horse Show.” Just like his hero in the sport, Marcus Ehning (GER), he would like to be a successful show jumper and “simply ride good horses” in the future.

When not travelling to one of the world’s show jumping arenas, nature-loving Bertram likes going shooting or playing rugby and football. He does not often have the opportunity — which does not really bother him. When asked about himself, he says: “Well … horses are my life. They mean everything to me.”

True to his motto “I always do my best”, Bertram Allen consistently works on improving his horses and himself to achieve what he is aiming for — to become world class in show jumping. He can take the next step at the International Show Jumping at the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER from 4 to 7 July 2013.

Why not drop by and join in the excitement: admission to the show ground is free.