IRISH riders scored two top three finishes at opposite ends of the globe over the last 12 hours, with Shane Sweetnam claiming third place in Calgary, Canada last night, and Cian O'Connor a runner-up position in Falsterbo, Sweden this morning (Thursday).
Cork-born Sweetnam, like O'Connor an Irish Nations' Cup veteran, took Spy Coast Farm's Swedish Warmblood stallion 'Traffic Boy' into the six horse jump-off at Canada's five star Spruce Meadows show, finishing in third and conceding first place to the Irish-bred Cruising stallion 'Flexible', ridden by the USA's Rich Fellers.
Sweetnam was also beaten by Fellers in last week's Spruce Meadows World Cup Qualifier, but last night shortened the gap by two places.
Ireland's Jennifer Crooks also took an eighth place with 'SF Tin Tin' in the 1m45 competition at Spruce Meadows, a class won by another Irish-bred horse, "McGuinness', also ridden by the USA's Rich Fellers.
In Sweden, meanwhile, Meath-based Cian O'Connor was a runner-up in the Falsterbo Derby Qualifier today riding his new Dutch-bred mount, the 10 year-old gelding 'Phin Phin's Shooting Star'.
O'Connor was just under half a second off the pace of Saudi Arabian winner Ramzy al Duhami, with 'Vivaldi T'.
Falsterbo's Nations' Cup takes place tomorrow (Friday), and Team Ireland Equestrian's show jumping manager Robert Splaine will announce his final four-strong team later this evening.
SHOW JUMPING RESULTS: CSI5* FALSTERBO SWEDEN JULY 4-10 2011
Vellinge Kommun Prize
International Jumping Competition
First Derby Qualifier
Table A Against the Clock
FEI Art. 238.2.1
1m45
Thursday, July 7, 2011
1) Vivaldi T; Ramzy AL DUHAMI (KSA) Faults 0.00 Time 70.55
2) Phin Phin's Shooting Star; Cian O'CONNOR (IRL) Faults 0.00 Time 70.97
3) Santa Catarina Ls La Silla; Alberto MICHAN (MEX) Faults 0.00 Time 72.97
81 starters
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SHOW JUMPING RESULTS: CSI5* SPRUCE MEADOWS CANADA JULY 4-10 2011
SUN LIFE FINANCIAL TROPHY
International Jumping Competition
Table A Against the Clock with Jump-Off
FEI Art. 238.2.2
1m60
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
1) FLEXIBLE (ISH Cruising x Safari); RICH FELLERS (USA) Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 39.15
2) UCEKO; KENT FARRINGTON (USA) Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 40.48
3) TRAFFIC BOY; SHANE SWEETNAM (IRL) Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 41.11
20 starters
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SUNCAST Cup
International Jumping Competition
Table A Against the Clock
FEI Art. 238.2.1
1m45
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
1) MCGUINNESS (ISH Cavalier Royale x Farnagh Goldie); RICH FELLERS (USA) Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 64.760
2) ARENA UK LANDO; ELLEN WHITAKER (GBR) Faults 0.00 Time 66.490
3) VALHALLA; KENT FARRINGTON (USA) Faults 0.00 Time 67.510
8) S.F. TIN TIN; JENNIFER CROOKS (IRL) Faults 1.00 Time 72.290
63 starters
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| Shane Sweetnam and Cian O'Connor |