IN what was a successful weekend for his Sweet Oak Farm, Co Cork’s Shane Sweetnam and his rider, Co Down’s Lorcan Gallagher, completed a one-two in the $86,000 Fidelity Investments Classic at the four-star American Gold Cup in North Salam, New York.
Riding The Blue Buckle Group’s Indra Van De Oude Heihoef (Casantos x Action-Breaker), Sweetnam crossed the line in 39.97 seconds to claim the top prize. Some 57 combinations started in the first round over Alan Wade and Nigel Jess’ track, and just four of those made it through to the jump-off.
America’s Andrew Ramsay and Cocq A Doodle were first to go against the clock and faulted once, in 37.42 seconds, to finish fourth. New York native Georgina Bloomberg and Manodie II H were next and they set the stand with a clear in 40.47 seconds.
However, Bloomberg’s lead didn’t last long as Sweetnam and the nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare blazed around to beat her time by less than a second. Passing his teammate on the way out of the ring, Sweetnam told Gallagher to take one less stride to the Liverpool fence.
Gallagher and the Dacantos Group’s Hunters Conlypso II (Contendro I x Calypso II) were last to go and following almost an identical track to his boss they broke the beam in 39.99 seconds to slot into second place.
“Not often do I get within two-tenths of a second of Shane. I’m a little bit annoyed at myself that I didn’t win it but if I was going to be second to anyone, it’s always best coming second to another Sweet Oak Farm teammate,” Gallagher said with a smile afterwards.
“We’re all very close in the barn from the top to the bottom – it’s great.”
Speaking about the nine-year-old stallion, who he has been riding since July, Gallagher added: “It feels like every show we’ve gone to he’s progressively gotten better and better. The horse has a lot of ability so it’s just about taking our time. It’s great to get a result like this especially at a show like the American Gold Cup.”
Sweetnam was delighted with the outcome of the class. “It was great to have Lorcan second. I didn’t mind who won to be honest. I own part of Hunters Conlypso II so it was important we both did well. I think if he did one less to the last he would have had me. Ivy (Indra) jumped great and Lorcan rode great so I was very happy for him,” he said.
Back in America after a successful summer in Europe, where he was part of the European gold medal winning team, Sweetnam said he is exciting about the mare. “I’ve had her for a little while, but I’ve been taking my time.
“I got her in January and fiddled around with her and got to know her. She’s very sensitive but she’s an exceptional mare. I jumped her around the last five-star in Florida and she was good. She was part of my team in Europe all year so she’s learned a lot. I love her, but I’m giving her the time she needs. She’ll do the [Rolex Central Park Horse Show] next week. I’m very excited about her.”
GOLD CUP
Limerick’s Paul O’Shea was best of the Irish in the FEI World Cup at the same venue on Sunday. Riding Hampton Farm LLC’s Terceira, O’Shea picked up a single time fault in the first round to finish in sixth place.
Five combination made it through to the jump-off and it was America’s Devin Ryan with Eddie Blue (0/0 37.75) who came out on top to claim $54,000 from world number three McLain Ward and HH Callas (0/0 38.34).