Mirroring his most successful 12 months to date, Ireland’s Bertram Allen is pictured no less than eight times in the new and very colourful 2015 equestrian annual L’Année Hippique.

The Wexford rider’s World Cup wins in Verona and Bordeaux, and his third place in the Las Vegas final are well noted; so too is his Global Champions Tour win in Paris. His part in Ireland’s wonderful home win at Dublin is also well covered and there is a superb shot of the Ballsbridge arena to go with the team picture.

Bertram’s superb year is also indicated through his third placing behind Olympic champion Steve Guerdat and British star Scott Brash on the Show Jumper Rider of the Year list.

Other Irish riders pictured in this edition are Conor Swail at Spruce Meadows and Denis Lynch at the Furusiyya Nations Cup final in Bordeaux, where he took the individual Longines Cup of the City.

There is excellent coverage of our eventing team’s Nations Cup victory at Boekelo. Sam Watson has a nice profile and our young horse successes at both Lanaken and Le Lion d’Angers are well noted.

As to features, the one on John Lopez’s amazing Horses of Iron sculptures is a must. This is a superbly produced book that is well worth the €50 price inclusive of post and packaging in Ireland. It is again available from Dermot Forde at dero@iol.ie or 087-2344212 or 049-8546360.