Wexford's Bertram Allen began the CSI Five Star show in Doha Al Shaqab, Qatar in style with a win in the 1.45m two phase class riding Quarto Mail, a 2004 bay stallion, with a finishing time of 26.33 seconds.
Allen then picked up a second place riding the famous Molly Malone V in the last class of the day, the 1.50m, Allen was pipped at the post by France's Kevin Staut. Allen claimed over 24,000 euro in prize money in todays opening classes.
Bertram Allen competes in Doha alongside Ireland's Denis Lynch and Ireland's Judy Reynolds, who competes in the 5* dressage competition.
All three riders have travelled to the 5* show to gain valuable points in the FEI Olympic Athlete rankings in a bid to qualify Olympic places for Ireland.
Meanwhile, Darragh Kenny won the opening class on Wednesday at WEF 8. Kenny rode the 10-year-old gelding Glamour Van De Kakebeek to victory, claiming the welcome class of week 8.
Over 40 combinations competed in the Carolex Stables CSIO Welcome Stake.
Kenny has also been named on Ireland's Senior Nations Cup Squad with Red Star D'Argent, the Senior Nations Cup will take place this Friday/Saturday morning in Wellington.
Ireland will field four Nations Cup teams in total at the Winter Equestrian Festival and will be represented by teams in the Senior Nations Cup on Friday and in the Young Rider, Junior and Children On Horses Nations Cup classes which will take place on Saturday.
