CORK’S Shane Sweetnam scored a double of wins at the Tryon International Equestrian Centre last week.

Riding Spy Coast Farm’s Cyklon 1083 (Cardento x Cortus), Sweetnam opened with his first of two four-star wins in Friday night’s $35,000 Tryon 1.45m Speed Stakes, stopping the timers in a blazing 60.23 seconds, almost two seconds faster than Frenchman Eric Navet and Basimodo (0/ 62.73).

Speaking afterwards, Sweetnam gave credit to his long-time partner: “Cyklon is naturally a quick horse and I made a tidy roll back to fence four and fence eight. I think that made the difference and how I won the class.

“Alan [Wade] set a really nice track. The way the course was set made everyone do the same route and there was not a big gap in any of the times. I was early in the order so I went as fast as I thought I needed to, to win the class and my time held up.”

Sweetnam then went on to win the final FEI class of the week, landing the $35,000 Tryon 1.50m when the 16-year-old Swedish Warmblood stallion stopped the clock in a time of 35.58 seconds. Alan Wade once again built a strong track that tested scope and ability, setting the class up for an exciting finish.

Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083 were the first pair to take on the jump-off track and set an unbeatable time to secure the lion’s share of the generous prize fund. America’s David Beisel and Ammeretto were in second, a second slower in 36.55, ahead of fellow countryman Karl Cook and Caillou 24 (0/0 37.73).

Co Clare’s David Blake slotted into ninth place aboard Baron, with four faults in the first round.

“He is an older horse and he has won everywhere. He is an unbelievable winner. The goal is always to try and win. When Cyklon comes out to show he always ends up at the top and he has a great success rate. He felt especially great today and he really is just a brilliant jumper,” Sweetnam said.

“I did seven in the first line as opposed to six because I thought the seven set you up well for the tight turn that followed,” he detailed.

“For me and my horse, adding a stride in was the best option. After I went in the jump-off I thought my time would be hard to beat. David Beisel gave it a good run, but my round was enough in the end.”

Sweetnam and his team will head back to Lexington, Kentucky, for a few weeks before heading to Europe with a team of horses. Sweetnam has his sights set on the 2017 FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon, and is competing at the venue in preparation for the event.

“We are planning for the games right now. I have a couple of good horses and fingers crossed I will have something when the time comes.”

GALLAGHER WIN

Meanwhile, in Lexington, Kentucky, Newry’s Lorcan Gallagher won the $40,000 George Hennessy Grand Prix on Sweet Oak Farm’s Belize D’Ive Z.

Based full-time at Sweetnam’s Sweet Oak Farm, the 26-year-old guided the nine-year-old Zangersheide mare (Berlin x Quidam De Revel) to the fastest of four double clear rounds in 38.07, picking up $12,000.

Gallagher took over the ride on Belize D’Ive Z in January and spent the winter circuit in Wellington, Florida.