CORK’S Shane Sweetnam landed the opening class at the two-star Great Lakes Equestrian Festival in Traverse City, Michigan, last Friday.

Riding the Blue Buckle Group’s 12-year-old mare Indra Van De Oude Heihoef, he beat off nine clear rounds in the 16-horse jump-off to land the lion’s share of the $36,600 class.

Speaking about Indra Van De Oude Heihoef, who was out for a time with an injury, Sweetnam said: “This is my fourth season now with Ivy. She is a great horse, we have won all over the world. She had a little bit of an injury at the back side of the year and was only getting going again in Florida when Covid-19 hit. We took some embryos during that period of time.”

About his tactics in the class, he added: “I was early to go and it was an awkward jump-off. The course designer had a couple of awkward turns where you had to take a chance. I didn’t think I would be able to keep the lead with so many good riders behind me so I tried to be as fast as I could and thankfully it held.

“We have been here every year. It has got better and better. It’s a nice area to be in for me and my family, the kids love it here. I am here for two weeks and coming back for the gold cup,” Sweetnam said.

He went on to finish runner-up in Sunday’s $50,000 Great Lakes Grand Prix aboard his 2019 European Championship mount Alejandro, owned by Sweet Oak Farm and Seabrook LLC. A clear round in 39.39 seconds saw him finish behind USA’s Rich Fellers (Steelbi) and he slotted into fifth place with Indra Van De Oude Heihoef with four faults against the clock.