Bertram Allen Wins Wellington CSI3* Grand Prix on Pacino Amiro

Bertram Allen won the $140,000 CSI3* Grand Prix on Pacino Amiro, the first rider to win the event on Wellington International's grass derby field four times.

The Irish team rider on the 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding was last to go in the 1.50-meter jump off which the pair completed fault-free in 47.67 secs.

Pacino Amiro that was badly injured before the Paris Olympics in 2024 and since returning to the sport late last year has recovered enough to "looking great and jumped super." He had placed second in the qualifier earlier this weekend.

Belgium's Zoe Hank Conter on Tombola Z, 12-year-old Holstener mare, was one of five combinations to make the jump off and was runner-up on 49.6 secs.

Yali Kass of Israel and Obor A's Crunchy Nut placed third on 55.3 secs.

Quentin Judge on the 14-year-old mare HH Griffin van de Heffinck was the top placed U.S. rider in fourth with one rail down and a time of 47.43 secs.

Bertram described Pacino Amiro as "way up there and he's been great for me. He's a special horse in the stable. Everybody loves him. He's been there now for seven years and we all love him.

"I like jumping on the grass here. It's been a lucky week for me, so nice to get another win."

He may compete the horse in the CSI5* next month, but in the meantime will be riding his top horse, Conquest, in the 5* at Wellington later this week.

The World Championships in Aachen, Germany in August is the main goal into summer which he expects to be Conquest but could be Pacino Amiro depending on performances over the next five months.

Results:

$140,000 IDA Development Grand Prix CSI3*

Place  Horse/Rider  Jump Off

1  PACINO AMIRO/BERTRAM ALLEN IRL 0 47.67

2  TOMBOLA Z/ZOE HANK CONTER BEL 0 49.6

3  OBOR A'S CRUNCHY NUT/YALI KASS 0 55.3

4  HH GRIFFIN VAN DE HEFFINCK/QUENTIN JUDGE USA  4 47.43

5  KANNEM J.A. Z/MAX WACHMAN  4 50.35

Photo: Bertram Allen of Ireland riding Pacino Amiro to fourth victory in IDA Development CSI3* Grand Prix at Wellington International's grass derby field. © Ken Braddick/Jumper-News.US