The Prix Hermès Sellier was a Table A class against the clock without jump-off, serving as qualifying round for the Prix Le Saut Hermès which will take place on Saturday from 5.15pm. Having coming second at the start of the afternoon in the Prix du Grand Palais, the young Irish rider Bertram Allen (just 19 years old) riding Romanov withstood the challenges of the other competitors for over an hour to finally seal victory. This young Irish rider is ranked in the world’s top 10, and is the perfect example of a “Talented young Hermès rider” who has become one of the greats!
Although he was wearing number 4 in this qualifying class, Bertram Allen, (7th in the 2014 World Equestrian Games, 2nd in the 2013 European Junior Championship) demonstrated his talent and skill from start to finish at the Grand Palais in front of a full crowd. Having competed in the 2013 Talents Hermès before moving to the seniors in 2014, Bertram Allen came out of the blocks at full speed on this first day of competition. The leading riders could do nothing to catch him. Michael Whitaker on Amai finished three tenths of a second behind the young Irish rider. In third place, the French public applauded the impressive performance of another young talent, the Belgian rider Constant Van Paesschen on Ralphy Utopia de Ransbeck.
The French riders keep their hopes alive
The best French performance in this class was from Julien Epaillard on Cristallo A LM, who finished 5th. Kevin Staut was 8th, confirming his good form on his 9-year old mare Ayade de Septon*HDC, following his impressive weekend in Göteborg in February. Philippe Rozier on Unpulsion de la Hart finished 9th.
Bertram Allen (IRL):
“Both my horses jumped really well today. My second place at the start of the day on Quiet Easy 4 and the win in the Prix Hermès Sellier this evening with Romanov make me think it could be a good weekend. The competition and the setting are really fantastic. Romanov (jointly owned with the rider Billy Twomey), was really great and is getting better and better. I didn’t want to take him to the World Cup Final in Las Vegas because it would have stopped me from being competitive in Europe. So, I decided to let Molly Malone V go the the USA and kept Romanov in Europe. It’s been an incredible year for me; I was ranked 70th in the world last year and I hope to be selected for the European Championships this summer. Then, we also have to qualify for the Olympics in Rio, but I feel really positive and don’t feel under pressure. The older riders make me feel like one of them. They help me, like Billy (Twomey), or Marcus (Ehning) with who I work from time to time.”
03 – CSI5* Prix Hermès Sellier
International Jumping Competition 1.50 m
Qualifier for class 6 “Le Saut Hermès”
1. Romanov – Bertram Allen (IRL) 0/50.95
2. Amai – Michael Whitaker (GBR) 0/51.25
3. Ralphy Utopia de Ransbeck – Constant Van Paesschen (BEL) 0/51.55
4. Conconcreto Believe – Daniel Bluman (COL) 0/51.72
5. Cristallo A LM – Julien Epaillard (FRA) 0/52.60
6. Aragon Z – Christian Ahlmann (GER) 0/52.84
7. Davendy S – Jessica Springsteen (USA) 0/54.35
8. Ayade de Septon Et HDC – Kevin Staut (FRA) 0/54.40
9. Unpulsion de la Hart – Philippe Rozier
M.Christian Baillet Et M. Robert Rieder (FRA) 0/54.48
10.Cornado NRW – Marcus Ehning (GER) 0/54.52
11.Bella Baloubet – Amy Graham (AUS) 0/56.52
12.Vincente – Maiju Mallat (FIN) 0/56.83
Result
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Source: Press release
