Bertram Allen & Romanov during their winning ride of the 2015 LGCT Grand Prix of Paris CSI5*.
Bertram Allen has announced that his veteran partner Romanov will be officially retired. A crowd favorite for his flawless jumping rounds and gorgeous looks, Romanov, a 19-year old approved KWPN stallion (Heartbreaker x Fedor) owned by Mr. Billy Twomey of Ireland competed around the globe during his 8-year international career.
With Allen taking over the reins from Twomey in 2013, Romanov and Allen captured memorable wins at the 2015 World Cup of Bordeaux, the 2015 LGCT Grand Prix of Paris, and many other memorable wins. Romanov and Allen represented Ireland on numerous occasions, including winning the 2015 Nation’s Cup at La Baule, and the unforgettable, dramatic home win of the Aga Khan trophy during the 2015 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup at the Royal Dublin Horse Show.
Together with Billy Twomey, Romanov’s longtime groom Marlen Schannwell, and his team, Allen felt that the time was right to give the horse that more or less made his international career, an appropriate send off from the sport.
“He really jet propelled me. I got him when I was 17, he was a horse of a dream,” Allen remarked. “I have so many good memories with him, he was my first senior Nation’s Cup horse where we were double clear, I jumped my first Grand Prix in Dublin with him; there’s just a lot of special moments and memories with him. He’s such a kind, loving horse and he’ll always have a special place in my heart.
“As much as I’ll miss him this year, he’s been so good for me the last three and fours years that I wanted to finish him at his height,” Allen explained. “I didn’t want to milk it out. He’s 19 now, so we thought it was the right time and we’ll miss him, but we know it’s the right thing to do.”
Romanov will spend his retirement breeding and grazing in the green fields of Ireland. At this time no official retirement ceremony is planned. Watch his tribute video celebrating his successful career here:
A tribute to Romanov, as we announce the retirement of the 19-year-old amazing stallion. Bertram Allen.
Posted by Bertram Allen on Thursday, March 2, 2017