Ireland's Bertram Allen finished third in Saturday's Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in Mexico City riding Noel Delahunty Connaught Bloodstock's Hector van d'Abdijhoeve.
One of four combinations who advanced to a third round in the 1.60m competition, Allen, who is currently ranked number eight in the world, and the nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion picked up four faults in 38.19 seconds.
The time was bettered by the winner, France's Roger Yves Bost on Qoud Coeur de la Loge, who remained faultless throughout, while Belgium's Jos Verlooy also left all the poles intact but in the slower time of 41.63 to slot into second with Caracas. The world number two, Christian Ahlmann of Germany, had to settle for fourth when lowering one fence with Epleaser van't Heike in 39.72.
Allen, who collected €60,000 for his efforts, again joins forces with Britain's John Whitaker as team Valkenswaard United in today's GCT league. The duo, who won the inaugural round of this competition last weekend in Miami, will jump last in the 12 team competition.
In France yesterday, the Irish quartet of Cian Harrison (Knockeroghery Prince), Abbie Sweetnam (Dynamite Spartacus), Kate Derwin (Vales Blue Melody) and Ciaran Nallon (Dibidoe) finished third on 24 faults behind France (12 ) and The Netherlands (eight) in the pony Nations' Cup in Fontainebleau.
At the three start dressage show in Keysoe, England, Ireland's Roland Tong riding Sandra Kirkpatrick's 11-year-old Rybrook Ambience finished fourth on 72.925% in Saturday's freestyle to music. A trio of British riders topped the placings headed by Charlotte Dujardin on Barolo (78.725).
