Irish prospect Bertram Allen served further notice of his talent by beating many of the world's top show jumping combinations to finish seventh individually at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France.
Wexford man Allen, 19, jumped three clears from five rounds aboard Ballywalters Farms's grey mare Molly Malone during a long and testing competition that has run throughout most of the Games' second week.
Three Irish riders finished in the top 12, with Tipperary's Denis Lynch ninth aboard All Star 5 and Darragh Kenny from Offaly filling 12th spot with Imothep.
The top four finishers on Saturday will now contest Sunday's final at Stade D'Ornano.
Frenchman Patrice Delaveau (Orient Express HDC), American Beezie Madden (Cortes C), Swede Rolf Goran-Bengtsson (Casall Ask) and Holland's Jeroen Dubbeldam (Zenith SFN) not only ride their own horses, but also each of their rivals' before medal positions are decided.
However it was Allen, whose poise and balance on the grey mare left over 20 of the highest-ranked show jumpers in his wake, who stole the show for Ireland by finishing seventh in the world.
