Irish Olympian Shane Sweetnam secured third place in the $500,000 five-star Grand Prix at Wellington International in Florida. Riding the Patrick Connolly-bred gelding CSF James Kann Cruz, he completed a double clear round. The event saw just five clear rounds in the first round.
Irish show jumper Shane Sweetnam from Cork achieved a podium finish at the weekend's five-star Grand Prix in Wellington, Florida, USA. Partnered with the Irish Sport Horse CSF James Kann Cruz, bred by Patrick Connolly, Sweetnam jumped clear in both rounds of the $500,000 competition held on Saturday, securing third place.
Only five combinations advanced to the second round after clearing the first. Sweetnam's double clear performance placed him behind winner McLain Ward of the USA, who rode High Star Hero to victory, and Mark Bluman of Colombia, second aboard Landon de Nyze. The top three finishers were separated by less than a second.
This result highlights a strong weekend for Irish riders globally, though the Florida Grand Prix stood out as the premier event. Sweetnam, a 2020 Olympian, continues to compete at the highest level in international show jumping.