SHANE Sweetnam won the feature class on the opening day of the 2023 Dublin Horse Show, completing an Irish white wash. He rode Spy Coast Farm’s home-bred mare Out of The Blue SCF (Verdi TN x Cassini I) into first place in the 1.60m Sport Ireland Classic.

As one of the final riders into the ring he knew he had to better the time of 66.88 set by Spain’s Eduardo Alvarez Aznar and Legend (Ogano Sitte x Nabab de Reve) and he did just that, crossing the finish in a time of 66.15 for the win, demoting the Spaniard to second place.

Max Wachman and Coolmore Showjumping’s Quintini (Quintender 2 x Cassini II) took third place, ahead of his coach and mentor Cian O’Connor riding Tipperary (Arko x Diamant de Semilly) in fourth.

Swiss supremo Steve Guerdat and Albfuehren’s Maddox (Cohiba x Maraton) slotted into fifth ahead of Shane Breen and Quirke Sport Horses’ Cuick Star Kervec (Quick Star x Diamant de Semilly.

Pender win

Earlier in the day, Mikey Pender got off to a great start when he took the win in the Speed Stakes. Riding Marion Hughes’ home-bred 11-year-old gelding HHS Vancouver (Indoctro x Don Juan de La Bouverie) with the advantage of being last to go, Pender stopped the clock at 57.23 in the 51 rider strong class to secure the top-spot.

It turned out to be a good class for Irish riders with the next four places going to the home side. Richard Howley and Johan Björk’s Swedish-bred Mansini Ltd were runners-up in 57.62, while European Young Rider gold medallist Seamus Hughes Kennedy finished in third with his mother Clare Hughes’ mare Cuffesgrange Cavadora (Z Wellie 72 x Luidam).

European junior silver medallist Tom Wachman and Ronnoco Jump’s Cathalina S (Catoki x Sandro) were fourth, while Jordan Coyle riding the Dutch-bred Eristov (Cicero Z Van Paemel x Concorde) took fifth. Britain’s Harry Charles completed the line-up in sixth riding Stall Zet’s Chavira (Chacco-Blue x Calvaro F.C).

Burke on the board

British-based Jessica Burke began what was to be an outstanding show for the Galwegian with a win in the LHK Insurance-sponsored Minerva Stakes one round speed on Wednesday afternoon. Riding Louisa Church’s 10-year-old Dutch-bred mare Inpulss (Dallas x Labor’s VDL Indorado), the pair left their win in no doubt when stopping the clock at 60.54, well ahead of closest rival, Britain’s Sienna Charles and Valkiry de Zance (Diamant de Semilly x Double Espoir) in 64 seconds.

Hickstead-based Irishman Shane Breen finished in third place aboard his 2019 Dublin Grand Prix winner Z7 Ipswich (Carembar de Muze x Quick Star), while Daniel Coyle took fourth with Ariels Grange’s Legacy.

Fifth went to Daniel’s brother Jordan riding the German-bred For Gold (For Fashion x Heraldik).

Mexico’s Fernando Martinez Sommer and another German-bred Gingo (Grey Top x Wanderlust) were sixth. Just 17 of the 47 starters manage to leave all the fences intact.