Guerdat wins Longines Grand Prix as Allen claims hat-trick of wins in La Baule

The Swiss rider and current world champion did not enjoy the best of fortunes in the FEI Nations Cup qualifier earlier in the weekend but such is his class he turned things around by adding another big win in Sunday’s main feature class.

The Longines Grand Prix had a field of 50 riders, of which was narrowed down to 10 who after completing a clear rounds in the first round qualified for the jump-off.

With several speedy riders such as Patrice Deleaveau, Kevin Staut and Michael Whitaker it was set-up to be an exciting jump-off which saw Guerdat, riding Nino des Buissonnets, complete the course in a time of 44.04 seconds.

Ireland’s Bertram Allen guided the 17-year-old stallion Romanov steadily around the grass ring but his time of 44.91 seconds could only give him runners-up spot. Third place went to Brazilian rider Marlon Modolo Zanotelli on Rock’n Roll Semilly in a time of 45.88 seconds.

Any disappointment that Allen may have had would have been easily forgotten as the 19-year-old Irishman notched up three victories at the CSIO five-star event in La Baule.

On Saturday he won the traditional derby competition after mastering 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 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 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.

Guerdat with Nasa 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. They came in Friday’s Prix Générali speed class, also with Wild Thing L, and on Thursday’s feature competition aboard Romanov.