LIMERICK-born Shane Sweetnam claimed sixth place last night (Saturday) in one of the USA's biggest show jumping competitions, the 200,000 dollar American Invitational.

The 30 year-old rider, who is US-based, rode Spy Coast Farm's bay mare 'Rolette' and narrowly missed out on the four horse jump-off when posting a single time fault in the first round, but ended up collecting 10,000 dollars for his place.

Only four combinations went clear in the first round from a field of 29 who started at the Raymond James Stadium in Florida, and it was the USA's Kent Farrington and 'Uceko' who took the 60,000 dollar first prize after comfortably seeing off a challenge from Canada's Ian Millar and 'Star Power'.

Shane Sweetnam