Shane Sweetnam got the seventh week of the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) off to the best possible start with a win in the $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Centre in Wellington, Florida.

With 85 competitors in the start list, 29 went through to the jump-off. Fifth to go, Shane Sweetnam and Spy Coast Farm LLC’s Cyklon 1083 set the unbeatable pace of 59.10 seconds.

Germany’s David Will and Black Jack 163, owned by Eveline Kraus, finished second in 59.49, while American rider Lauren Hough and Ohlala were third in 59.84. Brianne Goutal (USA) and Cloverleaf Farm’s Uata placed fourth in 61.19 seconds.

The win was Sweetnam’s third of the festival, having won the $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m speed classes during weeks three and five. The 13-year-old Swedish Warmblood stallion by Cardento has been a consistent top horse for Sweetnam and continues to excel.

“He is very consistent, and he has improved each year since I have gotten to know him better,” said Sweetnam. “I know his little quirks and things now. He was very good last circuit here as well and obviously he is having a great run at the moment.”

“He felt great today,” remarked the ride. “The last class I did with him he won two weeks ago, and he had last week off, so he felt fresh. I was early to go and I wasn’t really sure if my time would hold the whole way because you know when you go early in this class, there are a lot of good riders and good horses, so I was very happy today at the end to still be on top.”

Kevin Babbington also recorded at win at the festival, finishing first in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m class last Thursday. Riding Meco Equestrian LLC’s Cord 11, Babbington finished in 37.02.

Shane Sweetnam finished in third place with Mimosa, going clear in 37.98, while David Blake and Doma Sue finished in seventh place with a clear in 39.22.

Sweetnam also finished in third place in the 1.40m class with Catch Me T, owned by Alden Burlington. The pair finished in 75.54, behind winner Pedro Muylaert and runner-up Christian Coyle. Cian O’Connor finished in 10th place in the same class, riding Contenance 15.

As well as his seventh place in the 1.45m, David Blake added four more top-five finishes to his tally. Two of these were third places in 1.30m classes and both were courtesy of Lisalba. He also finished fourth of 34 starters in the 1.40m speed class and fifth in the 1.35 speed class.

Meanwhile, Darragh Kenny and Picolo were pushed into second place in the 1.40m evening speed class, finishing on 35.05 behind eventual winner Joao Victor Castro.