Wexford teenager Bertram Allen beat some of the world's best show jumpers on Molly Malone V earlier today in the opening competition of the Nations' Cup Final weekend in Barcelona, Spain.
The 18-year-old and the Ballywalter Farms mare Molly Malone V finished almost two seconds ahead of their nearest rival in the 67-strong field.
Meanwhile, Ireland's show jumping team manager Robert Splaine has announced his line-out for the first round of the Nations Cup Final on Friday, the first time that the world's top 18 teams will battle for the new Furusiyya trophy.
Ireland's team, in jumping order, is: Cameron Hanley/Antello Z, Denis Lynch/All Star, Shane Breen/Balloon and Billy Twomey/Tinka's Serenade.
Only the top eight teams from Friday's competition will go through to Sunday’s final. The remaining ten teams will line out on Saturday in the Team Consolation competition, which offers €300,000 in prize money.
Sunday’s final offers €1,500,000 in prize money and is a one-round competition with a jump-off, if required, to decide first place.
