Tag Archives: Shane Sweetnam

Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083 Prove Too Quick to Catch in $34,000 FEI 1.45m Speed Stake

Shane Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083. Photos ©Sportfot.

Steve Heinecke and So Lucky Win Close Contest in $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby

Mill Spring, NC – June 5, 2015 – Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Cyklon 1083 easily topped the $34,000 FEI 1.45m Speed Stake, finishing almost 10 seconds faster than Ali Wolff (USA) and Brianda who followed in second with a time of 70.36 seconds. Sweetnam bested the class of 19 entries in the first speed class of the week at Tryon Spring 8 hosted at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). Ljubov Kochetova (RUS) and Wilford Z finished in third completing the course in 73.95 seconds. Competition continues tomorrow at TIEC with the highlight class of the week, the $210,000 Tryon Grand Prix CSI 4* for the Governor’s Cup, which will be aired on NBC Sports on Sunday, June 7, at 4pm. The class will begin at 7pm in the George H. Morris Stadium.

Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083 went early in the class and knew that they needed a fast round to stay in prize contention. The duo laid down an incredibly fast round, which proved to be uncatchable for the rest of the class.

“I thought the course designer did a good job here today. When I walked it I thought it was nice and fair. There were a couple of options for fast riders and also some for the younger horses looking to get experience,” said Sweetnam. “It was definitely fair and when I walked it; I quite liked it.”

The pair took advantage of the fast options on course and dominated the class, taking a commanding lead early in the class with a time of 61.48 seconds. Sweetnam commented that he felt the course was very suitable for Cyklon 1083 and that his consistency throughout his career has been extremely impressive.

“The round went exactly how I planned it when I walked it earlier in the morning. I went for all of the numbers and turns that I wanted to do. It all worked out perfectly. When I went through the timers I was even thinking, ‘They’ll really have to do something to beat that time,'” he commented. “He’s won everywhere. He’s a great little horse. He’s won in Gothenburg, Spruce Meadows, and Wellington, all of the big places. He’s still 14 and going strong, so I’m very happy with him.”

Sweetnam and Spy Coast Farm will take two weeks off before heading to Spruce Meadows to contest some of the big classes in Calgary.

“We’ll have to make a pretty big decision after Spruce if we want to go to Europe or come back here to Tryon. There are the FEI shows here in July, and I’m sure I’ll be back here for those at some point and we’ll just see how everything goes,” said Sweetnam. “It’s a great facility. Mark [Bellissimo] and the partners have done a great job. I don’t think there is a better facility anywhere, and it’s still getting bigger and better. They’ve really made a big effort, and it’s great for the sport. I’m very happy to be here.”

FEI competition at TIEC will continue tomorrow with the $210,000 Tryon Grand Prix CSI 4* for the Governor’s Cup at 7pm in the George H. Morris Stadium. The $34,000 FEI Tryon 1.50m Challenge will take place on Sunday, June 7, and will mark the conclusion of the Tryon Spring Series.

Steven Heinecke and So Lucky Win Close Contest in $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby

Steven Heinecke of Charlotte, NC and Jane Olsen Fisher’s So Lucky rode two consistent rounds, receiving a total score of 170 points, to ultimately top the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, besting Donald Sheehan and EHM Equestrian, LLC’s Kenan, who followed closely behind with a 168.5. Kathryn Haefner and Kathryn Haefner LLC’s Bentley rounded out the top three with a total score of 165.

Steve Heinecke and So Lucky
Steve Heinecke and So Lucky

Heinecke, based at Hi Hopes Farm in Weddington, NC, competed Jane Olsen Fisher’s So Lucky last year in the Pre-Green 3’3 classes. This has been his first year out of the division, and he has garnered some incredible success.

“We did the derby class in Kentucky a few weeks ago and he was third overall. That will be the direction we continue to take him in. He’ll do the amateur classes with Jane, but we would really like to ultimately aim him for some of the USHJA International Hunter Derbies in the future,” said Heinecke. “He’s just seven so we still have some time with him and we don’t want to rush to Derby Finals, so we’ll take this summer to focus on doing more National Derby classes with him.”

The duo scored a 77 in the first round and an 85 in the second handy round, adding 4 points to their score for taking the high obstacle options provided around the course. Heinecke also piloted another Jane Olsen Fisher mount, Swag, to a sixth place finish in the class.

“The course today was nice and not too complicated. It was pretty straight forward which was good in the morning because that always helps,” he laughed. “Swag, my second mount, is only five and he was excellent in the first round, but never had really tried a handy round, which is where we lost some points. But overall I am very happy with both of them and how they went today.”

Heinecke and Hi Hopes Farm typically travel around the East Coast for their summer season, hitting the big shows like Devon, Lake Placid, and Kentucky before returning to their home base to pack for their journey to Florida for the winter. This year though, the plan has changed and Heinecke would like to stay at TIEC to compete throughout the year.

“These Tryon shows are just so nice. They’re offering every division possible and that helps all of my clients and students. It’s affordable, and they’re so close to our farm. It only takes an hour to get here,” commented Heinecke. “We’re definitely tailoring our show schedule to make sure that we can stay here as long as possible. We’ve had a great time here and will continue to add it to our yearly plan and support the show here. It’s worked out so great for us.”

Competition at TIEC continues tomorrow, June 6, with the highlight $210,000 Tryon Grand Prix for the Governor’s Cup which will begin at 7pm in the George H. Morris Stadium. The night will provide an array of entertainment for guests including a highly anticipated performance by Grammy-award winning Lee Greenwood singing “God Bless the U.S.A”. The Special Forces Parachute team will also be doing a four-person tandem jump with a 20-foot by 40-foot American flag. A live showing of the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes will take place on the jumbotron in the main arena at the 6:50 post time.

For more information on TIEC and the events tomorrow, please visit www.tryon.com. Please “Like” the TIEC Facebook page at www.facebook.com/tryonresort to be eligible for various contests and promotions.

About Tryon International Equestrian Center

The Tryon International Equestrian Center is destined to become one of the premier centers in the equestrian world. This new facility opened in June 2014 with sanctioned horse shows and initial supporting amenities including 10 riding arenas, 850 permanent stalls, a covered riding facility and fitness center. Future expansion includes a sports complex, two hotels, sporting clay course, and an 18-hole golf course plus a full calendar of equestrian competitions and activities. It is a spring, summer and fall haven for eastern and northeastern American equestrian competitors and enthusiasts. For more information, call 828-863-1000 or visit www.tryon.com.

Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083 Kick Off Kentucky Classic with $34k Welcome Stake CSI3* Victory

Shane Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083.

Lexington, KY – May 13, 2015 – Each summer, Irishman Shane Sweetnam returns to the Bluegrass State with his string of top horses. It has become custom to see his name at the pinnacle of the ranks, and Wednesday afternoon, he topped the leader board once again during the opening day of the Kentucky Spring Classic. Sweetnam rode Cyklon 1083, owned by Spy Coast Farm, to the $34,000 Welcome Stake CSI3* victory, outrunning the competition.

Forty-five contenders gathered at the Rolex Stadium to compete in the opening FEI CSI3* competition, and with a start list of some of the country’s best riders, Sweetnam knew that it would be a dash for the cash.

Pablo Barrios (VEN) laid down an exciting speed round in 70.720 seconds with Zara Leandra, owned by the ZL Group, easily topping the previous times midway through the class. He took all of the inside turns throughout Bernardo Costa Cabral’s track, setting the pace three seconds ahead of then leader, Luifer Larrazabal and G and C Close Up, owned by San Francisco Stables. Eight trips later, Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20 climbed into the ranks with the time of 70.340 seconds, nearly 4/10ths of a second faster.

McArdle continued to hold onto the lead, even with the formidable Todd Minikus hot on her heels with Babalou 41, owned by Two Swans Farm. The pair finished just shy of McArdle’s time in 70.350 seconds.

Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20
Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20

“It was a very fast class,” McArdle said. “I know that the last couple of times were really right together. I thought my horse went great, and it was a good course for her. This is a fabulous ring and she can really open up out there. It is the perfect venue for her. I am glad I had a little bit of luck today.”

Sweetnam was able to watch Barrios lay down his round, and opted to take a similar path by utilizing the inside turns. He raced inside the timers from fences 3 and 4 and kept a consistent pace across the ground, altering the plan only slightly to add down the final line to compensate his horse’s smaller stride.

“All of us were within tenths of a second of one another and I can’t pinpoint where I made up the time,” Sweetnam explained. “Cyklon 1083 is a very fast horse. He has won classes all over the world and is 14 years old now. I had a fair idea that it was going to be a very fast class. I had seen Pablo go, and he seemed really fast, and then I heard that Abigail had beaten that, so I knew we had to give it our best out there, and we did. He was great; he tried his heart out.”

The course allowed for some of the fastest riding of the spring series; however, Cabral also designed with those who needed to school their horses in mind. The options on the course proved essential to the time, although several of the riders in the top 12 took a more conservative approach that would set up their mounts for a full week of slated FEI CSI3* classes.

Sweetnam said, “I think it was good course designing. It gave people room if they were schooling to jump a nice round, and also the designer included the water, which is always good to practice over, especially for the greener horses. If people were trying to be fast, they could do the inside turns, so it really was a great round for the opening day.”

The order of go saw names from across South and Central America, as well as Canada, Ireland and of course, the United States. With the FEI competition returning to the Kentucky Spring Horse Show series, riders have raved about the classes, increase of competition and the opportunity to earn the valuable world ranking points.

“As a rider, it is great. It gives you a chance to get more ranking points, and the numbers are huge here. It is great for us as riders and the show as well. It gives an international feel,” Sweetnam said. “There is a diverse group of riders, and new faces. You don’t see these riders all the time, and now they will see how great the facility is.”

McArdle finished in the second place position with Minikus picking up the third place. The fourth place was awarded to Barrios, while the fifth place went to Alise Oken and Kaid Du Ry, who laid down a clean round in a speedy 71.660 seconds, beating out sixth place finisher, Eugenio Garza and Lucca Toni. Luifer Larrazabal collected the seventh place award with Emanuel Andrade and ZZ-Top VH Schaarbroek Z rounding out the top eight.

The Kentucky Spring Classic continues Thursday with the $34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, where riders will try to accumulate valuable points for the Hagyard Leading Rider Bonus. On Saturday, May 16, riders will compete under the lights in the Rolex Stadium during the $127,000 Hollow Creek Farm Grand Prix. All three of these FEI classes will count for the Longines Rider Ranking List. The $34,000 Hagyard Classic and the $127,000 Hollow Creek Grand Prix will also count for the USEF/Rolex Show Jumping Ranking List as will the $50,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix on Sunday, May 17th.

For more information about the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Kentucky Horse Shows 2015 Horse Show Series Fast Facts

Events: 2015 Kentucky Spring Horse Shows

What:
The Kentucky Horse Shows 2014 series includes two weeks of top hunter/jumper competitions during the month of May. The Kentucky Horse Show Series is the host of the Hagyard Challenge Series and Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series.

Where:
Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY, site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™, home to the United States Equestrian Federation.

When:
KENTUCKY SPRING HORSE SHOW – May 6-10, 2015
$34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI2*
$85,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI2*
$25,000 Bluegrass Classic
$25,000 U25 Classic
$15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby
WCHR Recognized Hunter Competition

KENTUCKY SPRING CLASSIC – May 13-17, 2015
$34,000 Welcome Speed CSI3*
$34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3*
$127,000 Hollow Creek Farm Grand Prix CSI3*
$50,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix
$20,000 Bluegrass Classic
$5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby

Sponsors:
A special thanks to the generous sponsors of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows: Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Hallway Feeds, Hollow Creek Farm, Audi of Lexington, Sleepy P Ranch, CWD, Farm Vet, Dietrich Insurance, Take2 Thoroughbred Program and the Official Hotel The Clarion.

Hours:
8am – 5pm daily

Parking:
Horse Show Exhibitors may purchase a weekly parking pass at the main Horse Park entrance for $15.00. Dogs are permitted at the Kentucky Horse Park on a leash.

Directions:
The Kentucky Horse Park is located 8 miles northeast of Lexington, Kentucky at Exit 120 on Interstate 75.

Information:
Before Show – (859) 233-0492, Email: hakshows@earthlink.net
During Show – Telephone: (859) 254-3343, Fax: (859) 231-6097
Stabling – Email Tom Blankenship at tomblank@bellsouth.net
Stable office – Before Show: (843) 269-4737, During Show: (859) 255-0605
Prize List Advertising – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Vendors – Email Cindy Bozan at cindy@kentuckyhorseshows.com or call (859) 608-3709
Shownet – www.shownet.biz

Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Shopping:
Vendors offering equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry and home furnishings are located adjacent to the Stonelea Ring.

Hotels:

CLARION HOTEL (Formerly Holiday Inn North) – 859-233-0512 – Approximately 4 miles (OFFICIAL HOTEL)
Discover the place where elegant comfort in an ideal location meets excellent service and affordability. At the Clarion Hotel Lexington, you’ll find well-appointed accommodations with options of double/doubles, double queens, king rooms or suites, exceptional amenities such as our free hot breakfast buffet, and Southern hospitality at its finest. The best hotel for Keeneland – located in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region – home of the Kentucky Horse Park, the Lexington Convention Center, University of Kentucky, and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – our Lexington hotel is on Newtown Pike at Exit 115 on I-75, close to all the big attractions, and is the perfect place to stay whether you’re here to get down to business or have some fun. Best of all, bring your furry friends for any trip because the Clarion Hotel in Lexington is also pet-friendly.

CAMPGROUND RESERVATIONS:
Reservations may not be made through the Horse Show office. To reserve a campsite at the Kentucky Horse Park for any of the horse shows, please call the Campground store at (800) 370-6416 or 859-259-4157 or email Sherry Logan at sherryd.logan@ky.gov. Be specific as to the show name and the dates you wish to stay. Check-in time is 2:00 p.m. and check-out is 12:00 noon. You must make arrangements with the Campground store if you plan to arrive earlier than 2:00 p.m. or stay later than 12:00 noon. Vehicles that are not removed from a campsite by check-out time will be towed.

Management:
Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC
P. O. Box 11428
Lexington, KY 40575-1428
859-233-0492 (phone)
859-233-0495 (fax)
email: hakshows@earthlink.net
website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Media Contact:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12230 Forest Hill Blvd.
Suite 214
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com

Shane Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083 Win $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m Speed at WEF

Shane Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083. Photo © Sportfot.

Hope Smith and Candyland Earn Championship Honors in the Forré Fine Art Low Adult Hunter 2’6″ Section A

Wellington, FL – January 23, 2015 – Week three of the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) continued on Friday with a win for Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Cyklon 1083 in the $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m speed class in Wellington, FL. The day’s events also featured a championship win for Hope Smith and Candyland in the Forré Fine Art Low Adult Hunter 2’6″ Section A, and Christy Powell and Savion in the Forré Fine Art Low Hunter 2’6″ Section B.

Sponsored by Adequan®, WEF 3 runs at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) through Sunday, January 25. The week features the $127,000 Adequan® Grand Prix CSI 3* on Saturday, January 24. The 12-week circuit continues through March 29, awarding over $8.2 million in prize money.

Course designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) set the speed track for Friday’s 1.45m competition with 57 entries and 19 clear rounds. Shane Sweetnam and Spy Coast Farm LLC’s Cyklon 1083 were the winners in 60.69 seconds, just over Jessica Springsteen (USA) and Stone Hill Farm’s Davendy S in 60.91 seconds.

Spencer Smith (USA) and Artisan Farms LLC’s Nevada stopped the clock in 61.70 seconds to place third. Meagan Nusz (USA) and Amalaya Investments’ Leoville 2 finished fourth in 63.53 seconds.

Sweetnam and the 14-year-old Swedish Warmblood stallion (Cardento x Cortus) are no strangers to the winner’s circle, especially in Wellington. The pair inked five FEI wins last year at WEF alone and went on to a great summer.

“After circuit last year he had a good season. He won at Spruce Meadows and had a couple of good results in the Hamptons,” Sweetnam detailed. “Every show he goes to, he is good. Last year he didn’t travel as much, but he has been great. I did a small show the first week in January, just two smaller classes, and this is his first major class back and today was great.”

Wednesday’s 1.45m winners, Conor Swail (IRL) and Simba de la Roque, were last to go in Friday’s class and were definitely out to defend their title. Swail was well on the way to his second win of the week with the fastest round of the day in 59.17 seconds, but dropped a rail at the second to last fence to hand the win to his fellow Irishman. Sweetnam stood at the in gate and watched their every step.

“I knew Conor would be fast. He has a very fast horse, and he was really taking risks with him,” Sweetnam noted. “The first day when he won, I think he was two seconds faster than everybody. I had done my best; I don’t think I could have done much more. I was hoping that I would still win, but I thought he had a chance of catching me.”

Earlier in the class, Sweetnam had also watched the round of Jessica Springsteen and Davendy S, which led the way through many rounds until he came along with Cyklon.

“Jessie had a lovely, neat round,” Sweetnam said. “That is a very fast horse naturally. It is quick in the air and really covers the ground. I had an idea of the numbers I had to do to be in contention, and I did those numbers. I regretted pulling an extra stride to the wall the other day, so today my plan was to do one less stride there. I didn’t take any pull, and I got a little lucky. He (Cyklon) made it happen, which he does. If I had taken a pull there and added another stride, I would have been too slow, so it worked out.”

Sweetnam praised the course set by Leopoldo Palacios on Friday, noting that the class was great for the spectators right down to the finish.

“He did a great job with the course today. I think it was entertaining for everybody. It was maybe a little bit bigger than Wednesday, but there were still options, tight turns, and the double of verticals. He definitely gave you places to be fast, and then at the end there was a bit of a gallop, so it was exciting for the crowd and for the horses,” Sweetnam concluded.

Also showing on Friday, the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge was held in a California Split with 104 entries total. Darragh Kenny (IRL) was the fastest overall to top Section A aboard Eva Castegren’s Cicomein VDL with Georgina Bloomberg (USA) and Gotham Enterprizes’ Washington Square in second. Nicolas Pizarro (MEX) and Jacobo Zaga’s Calvaretto topped Section B with Daniel Zetterman (SWE) and Gyllebo Farm’s Acapulco Z in second.

Hope Smith and Candyland Earn Championship Honors in the Forré Fine Art Low Adult Hunter 2’6″ Section A

Over two days of competition, Hope Smith rode her own Candyland to the Forré Fine Art Low Adult Hunter 2’6″ Section A championship. The duo won three of the four over fences classes and placed third in the under saddle to finish a top the field of 32 competitors.

Christy Powell and her own Savion finished the day as the Forré Fine Art Low Adult Hunter 2’6″ Section B champions. The pair won both over fences classes today along with a second in the under saddle.

Reserve championship honors in section A were awarded to Shade, ridden and owned by Mimi Herbert. Shade was consistent over both days, winning two of the over fences classes along with a fourth in the under saddle. Lindsay Maxwell guided Emily Weeks’ horse, Jackson, to a first and third over fences to finish the day as reserve champion of the Forré Fine Arts Low Adult Hunter 2’6′ Section B.

After a light competition schedule this past summer, Smith was happy to return to the show ring. “This is a great way to start!” Smith exclaimed after receiving her championship prize.

Before Smith purchased Candyland, an 11-year-old mare, she spent most of her time in the jumper ring. Smith explained, “I came from the jumpers originally; this is only my second season in the hunters.”

With a year of experience behind them, Candyland and Smith are in winning form. “She’s [Candyland] a great horse and she’s so sweet,” Smith smiled describing her mare.

Smith looks forward to using this week’s success as a springboard for upcoming weeks at WEF. “Since I hadn’t been showing for a while I started in here [Low Adult Hunters] and I’m going to move up to the 3′ [hunters] and eventually the 3’3″ Amateur-Owners,” Smith said about her future plans.

Primarily based in New York, Smith enjoys spending most of the winter months in Palm Beach. When Smith is not competing with her two horses she runs a family office in New York.

Week three of the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival continues on Saturday featuring the $127,000 Adequan® Grand Prix CSI 3* in the International Arena at 7 p.m. The Charleigh’s Cookies Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under will award championship honors in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring in the morning. For full results and more information, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Lauren Fisher and Maddy Stover for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com
803.240.7488

Julie Welles Jumps to Victory on Opening Day of 2014 American Gold Cup CSI4*-W

Julie Welles and Twan.

Welles and Shane Sweetnam Take Top Calls in $8,000 Danbury Porsche Audi 1.40m Open Jumpers

North Salem, NY – September 10, 2014 – The 2014 edition of the American Gold Cup CSI4*-W kicked off today at Old Salem Farm, and from the perfectly manicured jump field to the phenomenal weather and the equally phenomenal competition, there was no place better to be horse showing today – particularly if you were Julie Welles or Shane Sweetnam.

Welles and Sweetnam each rode away with victories in the $8,000 Danbury Porsche Audi 1.40m Open Jumpers. With over 100 entries, the 1.40m class was run as two split sections on the Grand Prix Field at Old Salem Farm. Welles earned the top call in the morning’s first section aboard Twan and Sweetnam and Bijzonder finished with the blue ribbon in the second section.

Welles and Twan, co-owned by Stephex Stables and Missy Clark of Warren, VT, were one of 22 pairs to go clear over the first Alan Wade designed course and advance immediately to the jump-off course. As one of the last to go, Welles and Twan’s time of 30.478 seconds just edged out second place finishers Laura Kraut and Wilhelmus, owned by Graham Fletcher, who had a time of 30.534 seconds.

It was a tight race at the top of the list; third place finishers Beat Mandli and Grant Road Partners LLC’s (New York, NY) Zaza Harvey were just hundredths of a second behind Kraut and Wilhelmus, tripping the timers at 30.572 seconds.

“The jump-off was a lot of fun,” Welles said. “It was a nice gallop and a rollback and a nice long gallop to the last. You just had to pick and choose how tight you turned and what kind of a direct line you wanted. I was fast enough so it worked for me!”

Welles has had the successful ride on Twan all summer after the 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding came to North Run following the 2014 winter circuit in Florida. The pair earned a grand prix victory at the Vermont Summer Festival Horse Shows, and they have been extremely consistent since.

“He’s so much fun. He just goes in there and tries his hardest to leave the poles up, go fast and do whatever you want,” Welles said. “He has a massive stride. So once you get your gallop, you can kind of hear him counting the strides for you. Once you pick up that canter you know you’re good to go. As long as you aim him at the right jump and tell him where to go, he just does it for you.”

In addition to compliments for her mount, Welles had nothing but complimentary things to say about the American Gold Cup itself.

“I think we have to give Stadium Jumping a huge thank you for throwing this event. They do a fantastic job putting on this show,” Welles said. “It’s a delight to come here. It’s relaxing; it’s beautiful, and they do everything to please the exhibitor.”

Welles continued, “I love going out on the grass field. There aren’t that many grass fields that you get to go out on, and it’s nice to do it, especially when the horses jump so well off of it.”

Sweetnam, who won the same class on last year’s opening day of the American Gold Cup, is also quick to compliment the show and the continuous improvements he sees it making each year.

“It’s a great show. They’ve put in a lot of effort in the last couple years to make this a really high standard show,” Sweetnam said. “It’s maybe one of the best in America at the moment.”

He is also quick to compliment his winning mount today, 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Bijzonder.

Shane Sweetnam and Bijzonder
Shane Sweetnam and Bijzonder

“He’s been doing very well this year. I’m very happy with where he’s at at the moment,” Sweetnam said. “He’s already won on grand prix in Kentucky, and he placed well in the Hamptons. He’s going to do the [$100,000 Hermès American Gold Cup Qualifier] class on Friday, which will probably be his biggest class yet. I’m not sure he’ll be competitive this Friday, but it will be a good opportunity for him to learn.”

Finishing in second behind Sweetnam, it was again Laura Kraut. This time she took the second place position aboard Woodstock O, owned by Treesdale Farms in Carmel, IN.

Other victories today included a win for Todd Minikus and Two Swans Farm’s Calypira Z in the $2,500 1.35m Jumpers and a win for Annie Phillips and her own Lennox Lewis 2 in the $2,500 1.30m Jumpers.

The 2014 American Gold Cup CSI4*-W will continue tomorrow with the $34,000 Don Little Memorial Welcome Stake, as well as the $3,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers.

Major highlights throughout the week will include Friday’s $100,000 Hermès American Gold Cup Qualifier, the $34,000 Fidelity Investments Speed Derby and the Region 2 ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Regional Championships on Saturday and Sunday’s main event: the $200,000 American Gold Cup CSI4*W Grand Prix.

All competition will be webcast live throughout the week at www.theamericangoldcup.com, and more information can be found by visiting the website.

45th Annual American Gold Cup Fast Facts

What:
The $200,000 American Gold Cup, an FEI World Cup Qualifying Competition CSI4*-W

When:
September 10-14, 2014

Where:
Old Salem Farm, 190 June Road, North Salem, NY

Hours:
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday with the ASPCA Regional Championships on Saturday afternoon.

Facility: Old Salem Farm is New York State’s Westchester County’s premier equestrian facility, offering 26 annual competitions, boarding, top-level training and sales. It offers state-of-the-art facilities surrounded by 120 gorgeous acres.

Stabling:
Stalls are 10 x 10 and housed under canvas. The FEI stalls are 10 x 12 and stabling area will be secured by fencing with 24/7 security. FEI horses will be scheduled to school separately from non-FEI horses. Schedules will be posted and riders will be given notification of times during the horse inspection.

Parking:
Available on the grounds

Directions:
From Interstate 84 or Interstate 287: Take interstate 684 to exit 8 (Hardscrabble Road), turn right. Old Salem Farm is on the right.

Information:
Before Show – before 9/6/14: 941-744-5465/800-237-8924
During Show – 914-669-5610 ext 201
Stable office – 941-744-5465
Prize List Advertising – 941-744-5465
Vendors – Matt Morrissey 941-915-3457

Website – www.theamericangoldcup.com

Televised Broadcast:
The 2014 American Gold Cup Grand Prix will be broadcast on NBC Sports Sunday, September 21 at 4:00 p.m. EST.

Tickets:

Weekdays: Admission is free to the public.
Saturday and Sunday: Admission is $20 per person, $15 per child 4-12 years and seniors 65+, children 3 and under are free.

Gates open at:
Wednesday – Saturday: 8 a.m.
Sunday: 12 noon

Tickets are on sale now and are available online at www.theamericangoldcup.com and at the gate. (Online ticket sales will be available June 1 – Sept. 1.)

Charity Partners:

JustWorld International
http://www.justworldinternational.org/

ASPCA
http://aspca.org/

Sponsorship Opportunities:

Matt Morrissey
941.915.3457
matt.morrissey@stadiumjumping.com

Connie Sawyer
518.461.6288
sawyer.equestrianevents@gmail.com

Advertising Opportunities:

Mary Silcox 800-237-8924
mary.silcox@stadiumjumping.com

Ring dimensions and footing:
Grand Prix Field 350′x450′, footing bluegrass mix turf. Grand Prix Annex 200′x250′, Schooling 130′x170′. Jumper Annex 146′x307′, Schooling 155′x173′. Indoor 115′x195′, Schooling 74′x135′. Hunter 138′x243′, Schooling 108′x158′. Footing in all arenas is all- weather German-designed fiber and sand.

Hotels:
Official Hotel of the American Gold Cup
Danbury Crown Plaza
(877) 270 1393
Ridgefield, CT

West Lane Inn (203) 438-7323
Brewster, NY 5 – 10 min
Heidi’s Motel (845) 279-8011
Mt. Kisco, NY 5 – 10 min
Holiday Inn (914) 241-2600
Danbury, CT 10-20 min from grounds
Hilton Gardens (203) 205-2000
Comfort Inn (203) 205-0800
Danbury Plaza (203) 795-0600
Ethan Allen (203) 774-1776
Spring Hill Suites (203) 744-7333
Residence Inn (203) 797-1256

Management:
Stadium Jumping, Inc.
1301 Sixth Ave. West, Suite 406
Bradenton, FL 34205
Tel: (941) 744-5465 Fax: (941) 744-0874

Media Contact:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Boulevard, Suite 105 Wellington, FL 33414
Tel: 561.753.3389 Fax: 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com

Jaime Azcarraga and Anton Win $400,000 RBC Grand Prix

Jaime Azcarraga and Anton clear the ROLEX jump. Photos © Spruce Meadows Media Services.

Shane Sweetnam and Fineman Speed to Victory in $60,000 TransCanada Parcours de Chasse

Calgary, AB, Canada – June 7, 2014 – The highlight event of the Spruce Meadows ‘National’ Tournament, presented by ROLEX, featured some of the best show jumping athletes in the world in the exciting $400,000 RBC Grand Prix, presented by ROLEX. Leading that field was Jaime Azcarraga of Mexico on Anton, who was victorious over Jonathan McCrea (USA) with Special Lux and Enrique Gonzalez (MEX) riding Quilebo du Tillard. In the $60,000 TransCanada Parcours de Chasse, Shane Sweetnam and Fineman were fastest for the win.

The ‘National’ Tournament, presented by ROLEX, is the first of five tournaments in the Summer Series and concludes Sunday, June 8, with the 210,000 CNOOC Nexen Cup 1.50m Derby.

Watch an interview with Jaime Azcarraga!

Thirty-seven combinations attempted the first round course set by Guilherme Jorge of Brazil, and just five were able to find the clear path to the jump-off.

Jorge noted, “The level of horses and riders was very high. I had in mind to have a difficult course. It’s a five-star and $400,000, so I built the course thinking about that. In the morning I really had to worry about the shades on the course. I think the footing was amazing. We had a lot of four-faulters, so we could easily have had eight or nine clear rounds. Jaime and Enrique were both here at seven o’clock in the morning, so I had to say the ring’s not ready yet! It shows that it pays off to be early. It was a day of great sport.”

Watch highlights of Saturday’s competition at the ‘National’!

Riding in the first phase of 13 horses in the morning, Azcarraga and Anton, his 10-year-old Warmblood gelding by Marlone x Orville, were the first to go in the jump-off. The big bay horse set an unbeatable time of 46.48 seconds with no faults for victory.

“It was a long day,” Azcarraga said with a smile. “To start at nine o’clock, you have to maintain your concentration for a long period of time. It was good because he got a long rest, more than four hours. He was fresh and ready. I just waited here, watched the Parcours de Chasse and tried to maintain calm. It always hard to be the first one, but I tried to set the pace. I had some fast riders behind me, so I knew I had to leave it all as the first round.”

Following Azcarraga was fellow Mexican rider Enrique Gonzalez on Quilebo du Tillard, who were also clear and quick in 48.90 seconds, which would slot them in third place at the end of the class.

Kirsten Coe and Baronez, owned by Ilan Ferder, Lovsta Stuteri, and Tal Milstein, were close to the winning time in 46.73 seconds, but a rail at the last oxer left them in fifth place.

Jonathan McCrea and Special Lux
Jonathan McCrea and Special Lux

Now riding for the United States, Jonathan McCrea and Candy Tribble’s Special Lux cleared all the jumps on course with ease, but were just off the pace in 46.55 seconds for second place.

In the first round, McCrea and Special Lux had a bobble on course. McCrea explained, “When I went in, I didn’t show him the wall. I didn’t expect him to spook, and he held off it a little bit. And then I was like, ‘Oh boy, I’m in trouble here.’ The triple bar wasn’t so pretty. For the grace of God the rail stayed there. Then I had to go Irish, back to my roots. I had to change my plan to the liverpool in-and-out. Originally I planned nine (strides), but I was going up and not across, so I figured we’d better go forward. After that, he was normal.”

Last in the jump-off was Kent Farrington (USA), the winner of this class for the past two years, on Voyeur, owned by Amalaya Investments. Farrington was fast enough in 44.50 seconds, but they had four faults at the triple bar on course for fourth place.

McCrea and Special Lux, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding by Lux x Collie Mor Hill, haven’t even been together for a year, but the talented horse has moved up from the 1.40m classes last year after winning the Five-Year-Old and Six-Year-Old championships in Ireland and placing third as a seven-year-old in Aachen. When asked to describe Special Lux, McCrea said, “He’s Irish! He’s been a winner his whole life. His jumping style is definitely a little different. He’s so careful; he doesn’t want to hit a rail. He’s still green at this level.”

Gonzalez has worked with Quilebo du Tillard, his 10-year-old Selle Francais gelding by For Pleasure x Quat Sous, since he was coming seven years old and had to work on rideability. “For the first couple years, he was quite difficult,” he revealed. “He was strong and he has, like we say in the horse world, a ‘French mouth.’ He was a little bit tough. Last year I did the 1.50m classes here and he loved the ring, he loved the place. He jumped really good last year, so I was pretty comfortable this week. I trusted him. I just jumped him in one class before the grand prix, and he was really, really good. I was very happy with the way he jumped today.”

It is believed that this is the first time two riders from Mexico were in the medals in a grand prix at Spruce Meadows. “We have some super riders and really nice wins, but I think this is the first time,” Gonzalez said. “It’s an honor to perform this way against the best riders of the world, and to be able to be sitting here.”

Azcarraga competed at the CSIO in Xalapa, Mexico, before coming to Spruce Meadows, and he has had Anton for two years. With a solid effort in Xalapa, he felt that he was ready, but noted that coming to a five-star at Spruce Meadows was different, especially considering this was Anton’s first international show. “Since I jumped the first day, I felt like [he] liked the course here. The footing was unbelievable, and the conditions were perfect,” he said. “It was a bit shocking when I walked the course, the height. In the morning I was saying to Guilherme, ‘Oh my God, I hope he can jump this.’ He has the heart of a champion, and he likes to fight.”

Azcarraga hasn’t been to Spruce Meadows since 2009, but he started his 2014 season with a bang after winning last night’s $35,000 RBC Capital Markets Cup 1.50m Winning Round class with Matador and now taking the biggest class of the ‘National’ Tournament. Azcarraga was second in this grand prix in 2008 with Presley Boy. He smiled, “It was the best week of my life, unbelievable.”

Shane Sweetnam and Fineman
Shane Sweetnam and Fineman

Sweetnam Speeds to the Win

In the $60,000 TransCanada Parcours de Chasse 1.45m, the course featured 14 numbered obstacles, including the table bank and small derby bank with a jump at the bottom. The format was faults converted, so even with a rail down, competitors could do well if they were fast enough.

The early leader was Hector Florentino (DOM) on Anemone’s Vicky, owned by Stransky’s Mission Farms. They set the time at 84.71 seconds. Nine horses later, it was Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Oakland Ventures LLC’s Fantasy who brought the winning time down to 79.982 seconds, which would hold up for second place.

Coming close was fellow Irishman Conor Swail on Susan Grange’s Ariana, who stopped the clock in 80.703 seconds for third place.

Sweetnam made it an Irish sweep of the top ribbons when he and Fineman, an 11-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding by Feliciano x Beach Boy, sped through the course, staying low and fast over the jumps and finishing in 79.254 seconds.

Having the chance to ride in a variety of classes and derbies growing up is what Sweetnam believes gives the Irish riders a slight edge. “I think we’re quite good at the derbies because we do it when we’re kids. We do it on small, medium, large ponies; we learn at an early age. Normally we don’t have the sun! Normally it’s raining when we do the derby,” he smiled.

Sweetnam had gone earlier in the class with Cyklon 1083, and Sweetnam said he “made a little bit of a mistake with him,” which he corrected on Fineman. “When I was going up, it’s a hard enough entry on the bank with the little gate, and I took a pull and I shouldn’t have taken a pull. I should have kept going,” he said.

He knew the times posted by Kenny and Swail and what he would have to do to get that winning time. “Darragh and Conor are very fast riders, I know they’re fast. After I had gone with Cyklon – he was 81 (seconds) with a fence down – then I knew, if I was going to break 79 (seconds), what I had to do in some places and take more risk,” he explained.

Sweetnam sold Fineman at the beginning of the year, so he was happy to have the ride back just a week before the Spruce Meadows Summer Series, especially since the “versatile” horse can fill a variety of roles in speeds, derbies, 1.50m, and more. “It was good timing,” he affirmed. “He’s just a very versatile horse, and you can do a lot of things with him. He’s jumped indoors. He’s a great horse that way, you can do anything you want and know with him that as fast as I go, he’ll try as hard as he can.”

Sweetnam and Fineman will contest tomorrow’s $210,000 CNOOC Nexen Cup 1.50m Derby.

The Spruce Meadows ‘National’ Tournament concludes with tomorrow’s competition, the $40,000 ATCO Structures & Logistics 1.45m Speed and the $210,000 CNOOC Nexen Cup 1.50m Derby. For more information and full results, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Based in Calgary, Canada, Spruce Meadows is the brainchild of the Southern family who built a Show Jumping complex at the foothills of the Alberta Rocky Mountains. It was in 1976 that the first Spruce Tournaments were held, with annual spectator attendances reaching over 50,000 by the end of the decade. Today, Spruce Meadows boasts one of the greatest outdoor equestrian venues in the world and offers an incredible experience for riders and fans alike. Spruce Meadows focuses on the organization and hosting of show jumping tournaments of unmatched quality for junior, amateur and professional athletes in a manner that reflects basic family values in a clean, green and welcoming environment that celebrates the horse and encourages the breeding and training of quality sport horses and the teaching and development of athletes. For more information on Spruce Meadows, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com
803.240.7488
jenniferwoodmedia.com

Spruce Meadows Media Services
caroline.weilinger@sprucemeadows.com
403.974.4232
sprucemeadows.com

Lamaze, Ward, and Sweetnam Post Victories on Opening Day of Spruce Meadows ‘National’ Tournament

Eric Lamaze and Powerplay. Photos © Spruce Meadows Media Services.

Calgary, AB, Canada – June 4, 2014 – In a day packed full of show jumping, three top athletes posted victories in the International Ring on the opening day of the Spruce Meadows ‘National’ Tournament. In the $85,000 ATB Financial Cup 1.55m, Eric Lamaze (CAN) and Powerplay were victorious. McLain Ward (USA) had two wins today, and Shane Sweetnam (IRL) was also honored in awards presentations.

The ‘National’ Tournament presented by Rolex is the first of five in the Summer Series and runs through Sunday, June 8. The highlight of the week is Saturday’s $400,000 RBC Grand Prix presented by Rolex. This week’s top classes include: the $85,000 Spectra Energy Cup 1.55m on Thursday, June 5, the $35,000 RBC Capital Markets Cup 1.50m on Friday, June 6, the $60,000 TransCanada Parcours de Chasse on Saturday, June 7, and the 210,000 CNOOC Nexen Cup 1.50m Derby on Sunday, June 8.

The course designer for the ‘National’ Tournament in the International Ring is Guilherme Jorge of Brazil. He set a testing track in the $85,000 ATB Financial Cup 1.55m jump-off class, where four of 26 total entries advanced to the shortened course.

The first would prove to be the best: when Eric Lamaze and his 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding partner Powerplay blazed around the course with no faults, no one was able to catch them without fault. They set a time of 39.52 seconds for victory.

McLain Ward almost had his third win of the day, but it was not to be when he and Zander pulled the top plank at the final vertical in the jump-off. Their fast time of 37.51 seconds gave them second place.

Pablo Barrios (VEN) and Zara Leandra finished third with four faults in 39.78 seconds, while Sameh El Dahan (EGY) and WKD Pepperpot placed fourth with eight faults in 42.34 seconds.

Lamaze and Powerplay, owned by Artisan Farms LLC, have had a successful spring including a win in the CSI 5* grand prix in La Baule, France. “They’re coming into Spruce Meadows in really good form,” Lamaze noted. “I have a lot of confidence in them. It was a year ago that I rode Powerplay for the first time, and it was a different ending from tonight. He’s come a long way in one year. It’s a different horse now.”

Lamaze described Powerplay as “a bit lazy” and laidback. He laughed, “He’s not the most fun horse to ride in the morning. He’s a funny personality. He’s very spooky; he’s afraid of a lot of things, but he’s brave at the same time. He’s not really a horse that I think I would get along with, but we’ve formed a partnership. We like each other, and I have a lot of respect for him.”

Schooling before the class, Lamaze said he could feel the tension of the riders and sensed the importance of the first day. Leading the victory gallop is something that he will savor from today’s memories.

He expressed, “I love coming to Spruce Meadows. No one will ever get tired of winning here. It’s always special to win any event, especially in the International Ring. There’s a lot of other guys fighting to win. McLain had a fantastic day. I thought for sure he was going to go for a hat trick, and it looked that way until the end. It’s really not easy. These jump-offs are won with very fast rounds. It’s really good sport. We take it seriously.”

“In the old days I took it for granted with this little horse Hickstead,” he continued. “It was a lot easier to win classes. Now that I look back, I wished I enjoyed them a lot more. With La Baule, Rome, winning here, I’m really enjoying myself. I have a new respect for how hard it is to win. These horses are very good horses, but for a long time, one was so extra special that it made my job very easy. I really appreciate now when it goes my way.”

Lamaze also complimented the footing in the International Ring. “I don’t think I’ve ever ridden on better grass footing than tonight. It’s to perfection. As a rider, this is fantastic. The horses love it; it’s not slippery. It’s as good as I’ve ever seen it here,” he said.

McLain Ward and HH Cannavaro
McLain Ward and HH Cannavaro

The third class of the day in the International Ring was the $33,500 Bantrel Cup 1.50m with 47 entries. Sixteen went on to the jump-off, and 12 of those were clear over the second course. The fastest was McLain Ward on HH Cannavaro, a 10-year-old Holsteiner stallion by Caplan x Caretino owned by Double H Farm. It was Ward’s second win of the day.

Ward has only ridden HH Cannavaro since March, but they have connected quickly, having won the $100,000 Empire State Grand Prix at Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Show just three weeks ago. Ward has been teaching the talented horse to be faster in jump-offs. “He’s a big jumper, and he really likes to take his time,” he pointed out. “Just like Sapphire years ago, they have to learn to be a quicker horse. But he really allows you to ride him. I was able to make a really good turn on the third jump, and he’s so careful I could run at the last. It worked out our day. A couple of the real fast ones had a rail.”

Unlike his Olympic gold medalist partner Sapphire, HH Cannavaro came to Ward with more experience. “He’s older than when I had Sapphire at first; she did the [Olympic] Games at nine. I got him as a 10-year-old. He had a lot of experience and was ready to be pushed a little bit. We’re thrilled with what he’s doing now,” he said.

Ward was happy to be back at Spruce Meadows with a top string of horses under the renewed partnership with Double H Farm. “This is an incredible event, and the prize money is fantastic. We’re really excited about all our horses and being back together with Hunter Harrison is very exciting for us,” he confirmed. “He really provides us with some great stock. The results always show. When you have the best horses, it helps.”

McLain Ward and HH Carlos Z, owned by Double H Farm, went to the top of the leaderboard after a speedy clear round in 58.581 seconds for victory in the $33,500 Back on Track Cup 1.45m. They beat 54 entries in the one-round class. Angel Karolyi (VEN) and Indiana 127, owned by Hollow Creek Farm, were second with a time of 61.47 seconds. In third place was Conor Swail (IRL) and Susan Grange’s Ariana, who posted a time of 62.00 seconds.

Shane Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083
Shane Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083

The first class of the day was the $33,500 Friends of the Meadows Jumper 1.45m speed class with 53 entries, and the win went to Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Cyklon 1083, owned by Spy Coast Farm LLC. Sweetnam and Cyklon recorded a time of 55.20 seconds. They just beat out Santiago Lambre (MEX) and Zeus du Buison Z, who finished in 55.24 seconds. Riding Sheila Sosnow’s Uitteraard, Nayel Nassar (EGY) was third in 56.72 seconds.

The Spruce Meadows ‘National’ Tournament continues tomorrow with the $33,500 ATCO Pipelines Cup 1.45m, $33,500 Westmoreland Cup 1.50m, and $85,000 Spectra Energy Cup 1.55m. For more information and full results, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Based in Calgary, Canada, Spruce Meadows is the brainchild of the Southern family who built a Show Jumping complex at the foothills of the Alberta Rocky Mountains. It was in 1976 that the first Spruce Tournaments were held, with annual spectator attendances reaching over 50,000 by the end of the decade. Today, Spruce Meadows boasts one of the greatest outdoor equestrian venues in the world and offers an incredible experience for riders and fans alike. Spruce Meadows focuses on the organization and hosting of show jumping tournaments of unmatched quality for junior, amateur and professional athletes in a manner that reflects basic family values in a clean, green and welcoming environment that celebrates the horse and encourages the breeding and training of quality sport horses and the teaching and development of athletes. For more information on Spruce Meadows, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com
803.240.7488
jenniferwoodmedia.com

Spruce Meadows Media Services
caroline.weilinger@sprucemeadows.com
403.974.4232
sprucemeadows.com

Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083 Can’t Be Beat in $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m

Shane Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083. Photo © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – March 19, 2014 – The 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) kicked off its eleventh week of competition at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on Wednesday with a win for Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Cyklon 1083 in the $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m speed class, marking Sweetnam’s fifth world ranking class win of the circuit.

FTI WEF week eleven, sponsored by Artisan Farms LLC, runs March 19-23, 2014. The week will feature the $50,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 11 on Thursday afternoon. The $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m will be held during the day on Friday and the George Morris Excellence in Equitation Championship, presented by Alessandro Albanese, will be held Friday starting at 4:30 pm. The $100,000 Engel & Völkers Grand Prix CSI 4* will be the feature event on Saturday night at 8 pm. The grass derby field at The Stadium at PBIEC will host the $50,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series Final (8 am) and the $84,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic (2 pm) on Sunday.

Live streaming of three events will be featured on The Chronicle of the Horse website. The links to view the live streaming are:

Germany’s Olaf Petersen, Jr. is the course designer in the International Arena at PBIEC for week 11. In Wednesday’s $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m, Petersen saw 55 entries over his one round speed course with 19 clear rounds. Shane Sweetnam and Spy Coast Farm LLC’s Cyklon 1083 set the winning time of 59.19 seconds about halfway through the class.

Germany’s David Will and Black Jack 163 completed the next best time of 60.14 seconds at the very end. Brazil’s Joao Victor Castro finished third with Wamira in 60.15 seconds. Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and Alain van Campenhoudt’s Citizenguard Million Dreams placed fourth in 60.64 seconds. Sweetnam also took fifth place honors with Sweet Oak and Spy Coast Farm’s Solerina in 61.23 seconds.

Sweetnam has been on a roll in this year’s ranking classes and noted that his horses have stepped it up a notch in 2014. “I have never won that many, but last year I think I was in the hunt a lot,” Sweetnam stated. “I had a lot of seconds last year in those ranking classes and I won one grand prix and was second and third in other grand prix classes. I was close to having that many wins, but I just didn’t get them, and this year those two horses (Cyklon and Solerina) have been great. They have been really up there in nearly every speed class, so it has been really nice.”

Sweetnam had already set the leading time with Cyklon in 1.45m, so he went a little easier with Solerina, knowing that she will show again on Thursday and Sunday this week. “I wanted to be quick enough to get a piece of it, but I didn’t plan on beating Cyklon’s time,” he explained.

With Cyklon, one less stride down a line and a couple of quick rollback turns made the difference, plus his always impressive foot speed.

“He does cover the ground,” Sweetnam detailed. “He is always galloping, so he is always quick. The course was delicate, but he is really careful and he is always trying to leave the jumps up. I think we were a little lucky to the water today. He helped me out a little bit, and other than that, he was very good.”

Sweetnam had some very fast competitors that followed in the last half of the class, so all he could do was wait for the final result. “There are always a lot of very fast rounds, especially here. The standard is so high, and there are so many good riders,” Sweetnam acknowledged. “There are always going to be ones to watch for. You always have to have an eye over your shoulder, and you are always hoping that you are going to win, but you never know.”

The talented Cyklon 1083 is a 13-year-old Swedish Warmblood stallion (Cardento x Cortus) that is currently available for breeding through Spy Coast Farm LLC. The farm, owned by Robert and Lisa Lourie, specializes in the breeding and development of top quality performance horses.

“There is frozen semen definitely available with Spy Coast Farm, and then if you are lucky enough if Cyklon is not traveling, you can get fresh semen as well,” Sweetnam explained. “If you contact www.spycoastfarm.com, you can see if it is possible to breed to him. He breeds very well; they have good brains.”

“We have a few yearlings by him, and they are looking good,” Sweetnam added. “We are excited; it will be interesting to see what they do. He also has a son in Sweden called Cobalt that wins a lot of classes, and I think it did the world championships last year in the young horses. He has already bred one good horse and we are hoping that for the future I can have a few Cyklon babies later on in life.”

“Lisa Lourie is very enthusiastic about the breeding program and always has been,” Sweetnam pointed out. “I pick the stallions for myself and then when they are finished their jumping careers they are to breed and they do breed during their careers as well. We are always discussing it, and we are always trying to find different matches. We have a lot of good mares and good stallions. We have Rolette and Werly Chin de Muze. I think we have a Rolette, Big Star embryo at the moment, so hopefully that stays. A limited supply of Big Star semen has been collected, so if people are interested they can contact Spy Coast.”

A $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m speed class was the first competition to be held on Wednesday morning with a win for Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Hyperion Stud LLC’s Chin Quidam VDL. A $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off class was held later in the day with a one-two finish for Laura Chapot (USA) aboard Umberto and Zealous.

Week eleven will continue on Thursday with the $50,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 11 in the International Arena at 1 p.m. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

About FTI Consulting, Inc.

FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With more than 4,000 employees located in 24 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications and restructuring. The company generated $1.58 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2012. For more information, visit www.fticonsulting.com.

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival

The 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 8 through March 30. The FTI WEF is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are “AA” rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $7 million in prize money will be awarded.

Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Shane Sweetnam Scores Another Win in $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m at FTI WEF

Shane Sweetnam and Solerina. Photo © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – March 12, 2014 – Week 10 of the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) kicked off on Wednesday with a win for Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam with Sweet Oak and Spy Coast Farms’ Solerina in the $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m speed class. Sweetnam has had an outstanding winter circuit so far with wins in four very competitive FEI World Ranking classes, among other top finishes.

FTI WEF week 10, sponsored by Horseware Ireland, runs March 12-16, 2014. The week will feature the $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 10 on Thursday, the $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45 on Friday, the $125,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix CSI 3* on Saturday, and the $34,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic on Sunday. The FTI WEF, held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL, features 12 weeks of world-class competition through March 30, awarding $8 million in prize money.

Great Britain’s Richard Jeffery is the course designer in the International Arena at PBIEC for week 10. Jeffery set the speed track for 46 entries in Wednesday’s $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m with 11 clear rounds. Germany’s Daniel Deusser set a fast pace in the very beginning in 66.54 seconds with Stephex Stables’ Mouse, but was eventually surpassed. Sweetnam and Solerina later cleared the track in 65.56 seconds to take over the lead. Italy’s Lorenzo de Luca and T&L NV’s Elky van het Indihof jumped into third in 67.48 seconds.

“I think it was a tricky enough course,” Sweetnam stated after his win. “There didn’t seem to be too many clear. I didn’t get to see all of the class, but from what I saw, it looked like it was hard enough to jump a clear round in the first place.”

“I saw Daniel Deusser go and he was quick, and that is a quick horse, so I knew that I had to be on it to be in contention,” Sweetnam said. “She is a very quick horse, and she stuck to the plan. I think I did one less stride to the water, and I think I did one less after the water. She was good at the triple combination. I came pretty quick to the last line and she was good to me there; I think she tried hard to leave it up. She jumped very well.”

Jeffery’s track featured a lot of set strides and tight roll back turns instead of big runs, so efficiency was key to a good round. “There were more lines and numbers and staying tight, and if you could do that right, then you could be quick enough,” Sweetnam noted. “She doesn’t spend a lot time in the air anyway, so that is a little bit of an advantage with her.”

Sweetnam has had a lot of success with Solerina and explained that she showed with fellow Irish rider Conor O’Regan before he got the ride. She had done well in some smaller grand prix classes at that point and has since stepped up to have great success with Sweetnam in the last few years.

‘Summer,’ as Solerina is known at home, is what Sweetnam calls a typical chestnut mare. The feisty redhead is not without a few quirks, but she always tries hard for her rider.

“She is a quirky mare for sure,” Sweetnam said of Solerina’s personality. “She is not the most lovable horse in the stable, but Lilly Johnson, her groom, does a great job with her. Lilly loves her, and I love her because she does her job in the ring; you’re just not going to be hanging out with her in the stable or anything.”

A $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m speed class was the first competition to be held on Wednesday morning with a win for Hannah Selleck (USA) and Descanso Farm’s Bauer. A $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off class was also held later in the day with a win for Laura Chapot (USA) and Mary Chapot’s Zealous.
Thursday’s competition in the International Arena will feature the $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 10 at 12 p.m. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

About FTI Consulting, Inc.

FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With more than 4,000 employees located in 24 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications and restructuring. The company generated $1.58 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2012. For more information, visit www.fticonsulting.com.

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival

The 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 8 through March 30. The FTI WEF is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are “AA” rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $7 million in prize money will be awarded.

Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Shane Sweetnam and Samuel Parot Top $5,000 CSIO Welcome Stake Classes at FTI WEF

Shane Sweetnam and Solerina.  Photos © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – February 26 2014 – The 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) kicked off its week of CSIO competition on Wednesday with a $5,000 Welcome Stake, held as two classes, with afternoon and evening sessions. The day session saw a win for Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam aboard Solerina. The night session was won by Chile’s Samuel Parot and Al Calypso.

FTI WEF week eight, sponsored by G&C Farm, runs February 26 – March 2, 2014, featuring CSIO 4* show jumping and a full schedule of ‘AA’ hunter and equitation events. The week will highlight the $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup, presented by G&C Farm, on Friday, February 28. There are Hollow Creek Farm classes for Children’s, Juniors and Young Riders throughout the week as well as three separate FEI Nations’ Cup team events on Saturday, March 1. Many other exciting jumper classes will be featured throughout the week.

Thursday hosts the $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 8, and Friday will feature a $10,000 G&C Farm Speed Stake. The $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m and $25,000 Nutrena Jumper Classic will be held on Saturday. The week will conclude on Sunday with a $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic as well as the $150,000 CSIO 4* Grand Prix, presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty.

Steve Stephens (USA) is the course designer in the International Arena for week eight competition. In the $5,000 Welcome Stake day session, Stephens saw 51 entries over his speed track with 11 clear rounds. Shane Sweetnam and his speedy mount Solerina, owned by Sweet Oak and Spy Coast Farms, completed the fastest time of the class in 63.54 seconds for the win.

Mexico’s Eugenio Garza finished second with El Milagro’s Providence 3 in 65.88 seconds. Ireland’s Kevin Babington and Shorapur placed third in 70.13 seconds, and USA’s Christine McCrea and Candy Tribble’s Romantovich Take One finished fourth in 70.92 seconds.

She jumped good,” Sweetnam said of his winning round. “She is naturally quick. I didn’t really go full speed with her; I just did all of the turns. She is good at turns, and I think that was the difference.”

“A lot of people are just schooling for the week,” Sweetnam noted. “It’s not a big money class, but it’s still the opening class of CSIO week, so I knew if I could do my turns then I would be up there. That is what I planned to do, and that is what I did.”

Solerina, a 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare by Cruising x Diamond Lad, is a fiery little chestnut, but Sweetnam explained that he has figured out how to work with her personality.

“She is still high maintenance, but I have gotten to know her and she has gotten to know me and I know her quirks now,” he detailed. “She is very funny about the (Jumbotron) TV screen; that is her big thing. She has matured about it, but she is still kind of nervous about it. Today in the practice ring she was nervous; you could tell that she was nervous. She’s a much better horse when there is no TV.”

To help with Solerina’s nerves about the Jumbotron, the mare has a TV screen that she watches in her stall at horse shows.

“It helps a little, but I’m not sure how much,” Sweetnam admitted. “She’s not as dramatic about it as she was before, but as soon as she sees a big TV it is still a factor. At shows she always has a TV in her stall. Spruce Meadows is what she’s watching at the moment. It used to be some cowboy guy before. I better get the WEF video; maybe that will work better.”

Solerina will show in tomorrow’s $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup class and again on Saturday. Sweetnam’s mount Eregast van’t Kiezelhof will step up to do the bigger classes this week.

Continuing the day, forty-four entries showed in the night session of Wednesday’s $5,000 Welcome Stake. The class saw just three clear rounds around the course with the fastest time of 65.75 seconds for Chile’s Samuel Parot and Al Calypso.

Germany’s David Will finished second aboard Sevil Sabanci’s Con Chilli in 70.02 seconds. Also from Chile, Carlos Milthaler and Santana Stables LLC’s Player de Brocelia finished third in 70.17 seconds.

Samuel Parot and Al Calypso
Samuel Parot and Al Calypso

Samuel Parot has had a great partnership with Al Calypso, his 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Askari x Calypso II. The pair has traveled the world together, competing on the Chilean teams at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara and the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Parot briefly sold the horse to teammate Jorge Matte, but got him back two weeks ago and now plans to keep him. After his win, Parot spoke about the horse and his style and personality.

“He likes you to ride very soft and comfortable,” Parot noted. “If you make too much pressure, he gets very strong and he is not happy. If you ride soft, he is happy. He is very sensitive.”

“He is very expressive,” the rider added. “It is unbelievable. He knows you. He is very smart, and we know each other well. You go to the barn and walk down the middle and he will come to you. He is a top horse.”

Parot got to see Carlos Milthaler set the pace with the first clear round of the night and knew where he could be faster.

“I saw my partner from Chile go, and he went very fast. I made one turn that he did not make before the water, and I think that is where I made the time better,” Parot explained, adding that he had the advantage of a very seasoned horse. “He has no problem under the lights. He was perfect; he has the experience.”

Al Calypso will show again in tomorrow’s $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 8 and will then compete in Sunday’s $150,000 CSI 4* Grand Prix, presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty.

Parot, who has been competing in Wellington for 14 years and has been at the FTI WEF every year since 2008, is excited to be a part of Chile’s team for Friday night’s $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup, presented by G&C Farm. This is the first time that the country has had a team for this class in Wellington. Parot will ride alongside teammates Carlos Milthaler and Jorge Matte showing his horse William Wallace.

“This is the first time (and) we will have only three riders, but it is a nice experience here,” Parot stated. “It is very difficult competition. The competition at this show is one of the most important in the world, and it is good for Chile to come here. Chile is very far south, and it is not easy to come here with the horses.”

Competition began on Wednesday with an $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m speed class with a win for Laura Chapot (USA) aboard Mary Chapot’s ISHD Dual Star. The Hollow Creek Farm Children’s, Junior and Young Rider Welcome speed classes followed. The $1,500 Hollow Creek Farm Young Rider Welcome class was first to go with a win for Manuel Fernandez Hache (DOM) riding Maribel H, owned by Aristides Fernandez Zucco. The $1,000 Hollow Creek Farm Junior Welcome class was held next with a win for Emanuel Andrade (VEN) riding AD Vangleys, owned by Flavio Bernandes. Constanza Romer (VEN) then jumped to victory in the Hollow Creek Farm Children’s Welcome class aboard Frederick Romer’s SF Hechicero.

Week eight will continue on Thursday with the $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 8 in the International Arena. The Hollow Creek Farm Children’s, Junior, and Young Riders will also compete in their jump-off Classics for the week. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

About FTI Consulting, Inc.

FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With more than 4,000 employees located in 24 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications and restructuring. The company generated $1.58 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2012. For more information, visit www.fticonsulting.com.

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival

The 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 8 through March 30. The FTI WEF is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are “AA” rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $7 million in prize money will be awarded.

Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Shane Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083 Speed to Victory in $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m

Shane Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083. Photo © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – February 19, 2014 – The 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) began its seventh week of competition on Wednesday with a win for Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Cyklon 1083 in the $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL.

Sponsored by Adequan, FTI WEF week seven runs February 19-23, 2014. The week will feature the $125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 7 on Thursday, the $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m on Friday, the $280,000 Adequan Grand Prix CSI 4* on Saturday, and the $84,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic on Sunday. The FTI WEF features 12 weeks of world-class competition through March 30, awarding $8 million in prize money.

Take in “Saturday Night Lights” from some of the best seats in the house! Tables and individual seats are available for sale in The Wellington Club, which offers a fantastic view of the International Arena for Saturday night’s grand prix. Enjoy a full buffet courtesy of White Horse Catering while watching thrilling competition from a spectacular vantage point on Saturday, February 22. Tables are going fast, so reserve yours today! Email vip@equestriansport.com for complete information.

Week seven kicked off its competition on Wednesday with the $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m as the highlight class of the day in the International Arena at PBIEC. Fredric Cottier of France is the international course designer this week and set the speed track for 85 competitors in the class with 29 clear rounds. Fifth to go, Shane Sweetnam and Spy Coast Farm LLC’s Cyklon 1083 set the unbeatable pace of 59.10 seconds.

Germany’s David Will and Black Jack 163, owned by Eveline Kraus, finished second in 59.49 seconds. Lauren Hough (USA) and The Ohlala Group’s Ohlala were third in 59.84 seconds. Brianne Goutal (USA) and Cloverleaf Farm’s Uata placed fourth in 61.19 seconds.

Wednesday was the third trip to the winner’s circle for Sweetnam and Cyklon at this year’s FTI WEF after also winning the $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m speed classes during weeks three and five. The 13-year-old Swedish Warmblood stallion (Cardento x Cortus) has been a consistent top horse for Sweetnam and continues to excel.

“He is very consistent, and he has improved each year since I have gotten to know him better,” Sweetnam stated. “I know his little quirks and things now. He was very good last circuit here as well and obviously he is having a great run at the moment.”

“He felt great today,” Sweetnam said. “The last class I did with him he won two weeks ago, and he had last week off, so he felt fresh. I was early to go and I wasn’t really sure if my time would hold the whole way because you know when you go early in this class, there are a lot of good riders and good horses, so I was very happy today at the end to still be on top.”

Sweetnam explained that although he would prefer to go later in the order to be able to watch more rounds, his round would not have been much different today.

“It’s nice to watch to know what you have to do,” he noted. “The last class that I won I was later to go, so I knew exactly what I had to do, where this one I am really taking chances and risks and sometimes they don’t come off. You can be a little bit more careful if you are later in the class, but my plan didn’t really change. I would have probably still had to do the same as what I did to win the class.”

Sweetnam and Cyklon have been a winning partnership for two years now with top finishes around the world, and the rider recalled that the last time Cyklon jumped one of Fredric Cottier’s courses last year in La Baule, he won.

“He is a very good course designer, and the course was good today,” Sweetnam acknowledged. “The top 10 or 12 were all within a few seconds of each other, so the rollbacks had to be tight and then if you were to leave out a stride in places, that was going to play an advantage. I think that is what worked for me. I left out a stride from jump two to three and then from four to the in-and-out, and then even the last line. Not everyone did five strides there and I did five. I think if you were leaving out strides, it was going to help you win today.”

A $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m speed class was also held on Wednesday with a California Split for the placings due to the large number of entries. Pedro Muylaert (BRA) and Wessel, owned by Henrique Tielas, had the fastest clear round to earn top honors in Section A of the class. Daniel Zetterman (SWE) and Springfield Showjumpers’ Jolly Joker were the winners in Section B. A $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off class concluded the day with a win for Joao Victor Castro (BRA) aboard Wamira.

Week seven of the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival will continue on Thursday with the $125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 7 in the International Arena. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

About FTI Consulting, Inc.

FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With more than 4,000 employees located in 24 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications and restructuring. The company generated $1.58 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2012. For more information, visit www.fticonsulting.com.

About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival

The 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 8 through March 30. The FTI WEF is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are “AA” rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $7 million in prize money will be awarded.

Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com