Shane Sweetnam and Zandora Z. Photo © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – January 8, 2020 – Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam opened the 2020 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) with a victory in the $8,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1.45m at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL on Wednesday, January 8.

Opening day welcomed international riders to a 1.45m track set by course builder Eric Hasbrouck of the United States. With a top-five finish of riders from countries spanning the world, the Irish rider and his eight-year-old Zangersheide mare Zandora Z were double-clear over the two-phase course in 32.482 seconds. Canada’s Kelly Soleau-Millar finished runner-up to Sweetnam and posted a time just fractions slower in 32.956 seconds riding Favoriet U, owned by Wyndmont. Rounding out the top three for France, Marie Hecart and Boheme de la Roque finished on 34.574 seconds for owner Eurl Top Stallions Company.

WEF continues through March 29, 2019 with 12 consecutive weeks of world-class competition and $13 million dollars on offer.

The first week of competition at WEF is sponsored by Wellington Regional Medical Center and features the crowd favorite $75,000 Battle of the Sexes, presented by Wellington Regional Medical Center, during “Saturday Night Lights” on January 11 at 7 p.m. in the International Arena.

For full results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.