SATURDAY’S five-star $500,000 1.60m Modon Grand Prix at week seven of the Winter Equestrian Festival at Wellington International in Florida saw Irish Olympian Shane Sweetnam finish on the podium in third place with the Patrick Connolly-bred gelding James Kann Cruz (ISH) (Kannan x CSF Telly Cruz by Cruising), owned by Gizmo Partners. The pair recorded one of just three double clear rounds in the 31-strong class, stopping the clock in a time of 39.91 to pocket $75,000 for their efforts. McLain Ward (USA) on High Star Hero took first place and $150,000 (39.14), followed by Mark Bluman (COL) on Landon De Nyze in second for $100,000 (39.71). Darragh Kenny and Eddy Blue finished seventh in the class to earn $20,000.

Sweetnam was clearly delighted with his talented horse and said afterwards: “He hasn’t knocked a fence in a grand prix since Dublin (last August), and that’s ridiculous. I’m blessed to have a horse that good - he really loves his job.