Final win for Sweetnam as Kenny takes series

SHANE Sweetnam crowned “probably the best WEF” he’s ever had with victory in the $73,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Classic Series Final last Friday with the talented mare Indra Van De Oude Heihoef.

It was the second win in a week for the 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare by Casantos, who is owned by The Blue Buckle Group.

The series final began over a 1.50m opening round track set by Olaf Petersen Jr. featuring 16 jumping efforts for the 33 competitors who qualified for Friday’s competition. From there, 13 horse-and-rider combinations representing five different nations made it through to the jump-off.

First to go, Canada’s Erynn Ballard piloted Gakhir to a clear in 40.60 seconds, setting the pace for the remainder of the field. Two rounds later, there was a change atop the leader board as Jessica Springsteen and RMF Zecilie jumped a clear round in 39.04 seconds.

USA’s Adrienne Sternlicht then snatched the lead from her teammate aboard Bennys Legacy, who was produced in Ireland. Their time of 37.60 seconds would eventually be good enough for third place. Her lead didn’t last long at Sweetnam was next to go with the speedy Indra and they shaved nearly a full second off the leading time to take over top spot in 35.56 seconds.

It was an anxious wait as the last to go, Mexico’s Eugenio Garza Perez, gave it his best shot with El Milagro, and he came close, breaking the beam less than two-tenths of a second slower in 35.70 to finish in second place.

“This class was the aim for my horse for the end of circuit,” said Sweetnam of his plan heading into Friday’s final. “I actually gave her a break and then did two nice classes last week on the derby field. She won one of them, and then her focus was to try to have a good chance at winning this, which she delivered. I’m very happy when the plan comes together.

“She has a big heart, and she’s super, super careful. She really does not want to hit the jumps, and obviously when you’re going at that speed in the jump-off, you need a special horse to keep the jumps up. You see the standard of horses in that jump-off, Nations Cup-calibre horses, championship horses; that’s what you’re up against, so I’m very happy with her.”

Sweetnam had a brilliant circuit, landing his first ever five-star Grand Prix win during week seven, among multiple international victories.

“This is probably the best WEF I’ve had, between Grand Prix wins and being consistently in the ribbons with a good team of horses and owners behind me. This is my last class of the season, so this win is just the cherry on top. It’s a great way to finish off.”

Following the final, Offaly’s Darragh Kenny was crowned overall champion of the CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Classic Series. For victory, Kenny was awarded a Yacht Outing on the CaptiveOne professional fishing vessel ‘Reel Captivating’ – with the choice of between a sunset dinner cruise, or day trip deep-sea fishing, for up to six people.