Shane Sweetnam leaves all competition behind in CSI3* 1m45 Kentucky

Ken Krome (USA) set forth a 13-obstacle track and a 73-second time-allowed to challenge athletes through a winding course starting with a triple bar and followed by several combination lines and long approach fences. Competitors representing 10 different nations were hopeful to navigate qualifying rides in order to nab one of 60 coveted spots in Saturday evening’s $137,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix, presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, and a shot at the lion’s share of the prize money. The second pair in the order of go, Ireland’s Daniel Coyle and Legacy, navigated the first clear round of the evening, followed by 21 athletes to qualify for the tie-breaking jump-off.

Just 16 athletes elected to return for the jump-off round, with the United States’ Bliss Heers and Goodbye, owned by Bridgeside Farms LLC, being the pathfinders for the shortened 7-obstacle course. Heers set the standard high finishing on a clear round in a swift 43.43 seconds aboard Goodbye, owned by Bridgeside Farms LLC. A few riders to follow would leave all of the rails intact, including Ali Ramsay (USA) and Ben Asselin (CAN), but none were quick enough to take the leading spot. Veteran competitor Rowan Willis (AUS) entered the arena hungry for a win aboard his ownWellington Grey Goose, cutting corners and speeding around the track to nearly take Heers’ top spot in 43.02 seconds. New Zealand’s Sharn Wordley didn’t knock any rails out of the cups, but couldn’t compete with Willis’ new leading time.

Known for his speed and finesse through a jump-off course, the United States’ Kent Farrington navigated a near effortless ride with Orafina, owned by Kent Farrington LLC, to shave just one-hundredth of a second off of Willis’ time to move into first on a time of 42.91 seconds. It appeared Farrington would take the win until Ireland’s Sweetnam entered the arena riding Ideal, owned by Sweet Oak Farm and Seabrook Farm LLC. The pair knew they had to be tactful on course in order to best Farrington’s time, and they were successful, emerging through the timers in 42.68 seconds and sliding into first place. The final rider on course, Lacey Gilberton (USA), could not match Sweetnam, ultimately lending him top honors. Farrington and Orafina would then claim second place, with Willis and Wellington Grey Goose rounding out the top three.

Sweetnam recently gained the ride back on Ideal in December 2020 after loaning the 9-year-old Swedish Warmblood to David O’Brien for the 2020 season. The gelding has notched notable wins during his short career thus far, including multiple second-place finishes in CSI5* competition at the 2021 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) with Sweetnam in the irons. Sweetnam spoke highly of the young gelding’s talent and looks forward to his successful future.Show jumping competition will continue at the Kentucky Spring Classic Friday, May 21, in the Rolex Arena beginning at 8:00a.m. The day will highlight the $5,000 1.45m Open Jumper as well as junior and amateur competitors with the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper.