ABBIE Sweetnam crowned a wonderful weekend for young Irish riders at the Nations Cup show in Chevenez, Switzerland, when winning the Irish dominated 1.30m Pony Grand Prix last Sunday with Dynamite Spartacus.

Riding her European championship team gold medal-winning mount, Sweetnam, who also jumped a foot-perfect double clear on Friday to help Ireland win the Nations Cup, shot to the head of the leader board with a clear round against the clock in 30.77 seconds to take first place on the podium.

Charlotte Houston took the runner-up spot with Lea du Genier in 30.94 seconds.

French rider Camille Favorot was third on the podium, just ahead of Max Wachman and Diamond in fourth place (0/0 34.07) and Kate Derwin completed the top five with Cul Ban Mistress (CP) (0/4 31.90).

Wachman, who, along with his younger brother Tom, was in great form at the Swiss venue, also featured in the Children on Horses Grand Prix, finishing in third place with Cesha OLD.

The combination, who placed second in Saturday’s class, had the fastest time of the class but an unfortunate fence down in the timed round (34.96). Switzerland’s Sarah Haldimann was victorious with Zondela (0/0 35.16).

Wachman did manage a win in Friday’s 1.20m with his mum Kate’s Diamond when clear in 44.21 seconds, beating Charlotte Hudson into second place (0/0 46.15). The following day, Max’s brother Tom was ahead in the placings when taking second in the 1.20m riding Blessington Grand Mist (0/0 36.28).

Max was just behind in a time of 36.33 seconds with his new mount Aughnashammer (0/0 36.33). Readers of The Irish Field will be familiar with the 13-year-old gelding who was previously ridden to great success by Wexford’s Harry Allen.

Allen was the runner-up in the 1.40m Junior Grand Prix. Riding Ballywalter Farm’s EH Quick Nina, Allen posted a time of 35.45 seconds to collect €1,200, while Swiss-based Clare show jumper Noelle Barry placed 10th in the 1.45m Under 25 Grand Prix with a fence down in the first round about Coranto.

Barry, who works and rides for Wener Muff, was third in Friday’s 1.25m with Jolie VH Molenhof (0/58.05).