Ireland Sweeps Falsterbo Derby with Bertram Allen Leading the Way

Bertram Allen & Christy. Ph. via Falsterbo

“In Ireland, we start riding hunts when we are eight years old. I think that’s why we do so well in these classes.”

The crowd at Saturday, July 16th’s Falsterbo Derby would agree with Bertra Allen as they watched three Irish riders take the top three placings in Falsterbo, Sweden over a big derby track.

Allen and the 8-year-old BWP gelding Christy Jnr (Indoctro x Clinton) owned by Ballywalter Farm, topped a four horse jumpoff by about a half a second. Just behind him, Shane Sweetnam placed 2nd with the 9-year-old BWP mare Indra van de Oude Heihoef (Casantos x Action Breaker). And Cian O’Connor rounded out the top three with Copain du Perchet CH, a 12-year-old stallion (Conteur x Ragazzo). All three Irish riders jumped double clear.

Sweden’s Peder Fredricson was 4th with H&M Carat Desire after pulling a rail in the jumpoff.

The prestigious Falsterbo Grand Prix CSIO5* takes place on Sunday afternoon. See the order of go here.