Sweetnam and McEvoy jump to Wellington Grand Prix podium finishes

Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz finished second in the Grand Prix at Wellington International. Photo ©Sportfot

Irish Olympian Shane Sweetnam and rising star Niamh McEvoy finished second and third in the $215,000 MARS Equestrian CSI4* Grand Prix at Wellington International last night.

The pair were pipped to victory by Germany’s Richard Vogel and Cydello in a jump-off where the trio were the only combinations to go double clear.

Vogel and Cydello’s jump-off time of 43.22 seconds edged them a half a second ahead of Sweetnam and Paris mount James Kann Cruz (ISH), owned by Gizmo Partners, who ended up second.

In third was the only other double-clear combination, McEvoy and Jargon DN, owned by GBBS International.

McEvoy also won the Martha Jolicoeur, Douglas Elliman Leading Lady Rider Award for WEF 4 after a fantastic week.

Ireland’s Jordan Coyle and Chaccolino also ended up in the top 10 with a ninth-place finish.

Niamh McEvoy accepts the Martha Jolicoeur, Douglas Elliman Leading Lady Rider Award for WEF 4 from Danielle Miranda and Jessica Perez. Photo ©Sportfot