Sweetnam second in 5* Vancouver Grand Prix ahead of Nations Cup

  • 3 June 2023, 10:35

Shane Sweetnam was one of two Irish riders to place overnight in the CSIO5* 1.60m Grand Prix on FEI Nations Cup weekend at Langley, Vancouver.

Cork’s Sweetnam and Galwayman Andrew Bourns put in strong performances ahead of the big team event in Canada tomorrow.

Competing in the CSIO5* 1.60m Grand Prix, Sweetnam finished an impressive second, with Bourns claiming fifth.

Riding 9-year-old Out of the Blue SCF, owned by Spy Coast Farm LLC, Sweetnam was one only four riders to progress to the jump-off on what was just the mare’s second appearance at five-star level. The pair stopped in the clock in the jump-off in 43.05 seconds.

 

Victory went to American rider Shawn Cassady and NKH Centro Blue in a time of 42.46 seconds.

The home nation completed the podium with a safe clear round in the jump-off from Samantha Buirs and Chic D Emma Z.

An unfortunate elimination in the jump-off left fellow Canadian rider Kara Chad in fourth.

Bourns and the Irish Sport Horse Sea Topblue, owned by Andrew Bourns and OBS Equestrian LLC, were the fastest of the riders who picked up four faults in the initial round.

Earlier yesterday, at the same venue, Jordan Coyle claimed victory in the 1.45m Ranking Class with Ariso, a 12-year-old gelding owned by Elan Farm.

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