Image: Michael
Whitaker riding
Viking credit Kit
Houghton
the class as competitive as it could have
been.
Victory Marred by Controversy
The final class of the event was the
Olympia Grand Prix on the Monday
night, and after a truly skilful display of
horsemanship, Ireland’s Bertram Allen
produced the fastest clear against the
clock riding Quite Easy to push Michael
Whitaker and Viking down the rankings
into second place. However, minutes
later an announcement was made that
Allen had been disqualified for blood
on his horse and Whitaker was now
promoted to top the class.
Having shot down to the collecting
ring at the back of the arena, I was
preparing to see a horse with blood in
the mouth perhaps, or a flank which
had been caught on a jump wing after
one of their tight turns. However, what I
was greeted with was extremely difficult
to spot without my glasses on – the
tiniest nick on the horse’s side where
unfortunately Bertram’s spur had rubbed
the thin skin of the chestnut gelding.
The young rider was visibly distressed
as he spoke to the press, who were
eager to allow the sympathetic rider the
opportunity to give his version of events.
“I honestly don’t know how it happened,
but I can only think that my leg slid
back over a jump because of the fast
pace we were going at. I have watched
the round again and can’t see where it
could have happened.” He said, with
his lip trembling as he tried to compose
himself, “I’d like to think I’ve a
good name, and my horse’s health is my
absolute priority,” a sentiment which is
echoed throughout the show jumping
community.
Having spoken with eventual winner
“I honestly don’t know how it happened, but I
can only think that my leg slid back over a jump
because of the fast pace we were going at. I
have watched the round again and can’t see
where it could have happened.” Bertram Allen
January 2016 • Issue 28 • UdU%