Press release from Wellington International, edited by World of Showjumping

The $120,000 Zycosan CSI3* Grand Prix set the stage for the final stretch of Saturday’s international competition, serving as a thrilling lead-in to the last class of the day at Wellington International. Course designer Héctor Loyola built a track that demanded accuracy and scope, and Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam rose to the challenge aboard Coriaan van Klapscheut Z (Comme Il Faut x Lord Z), owned by Voquest LLC. The pair delivered a confident clear in the first round before returning to the jump-off with purpose, navigating tight turns and forward distances to finish in a winning time of 44.5 seconds. “He’s still only nine, but he’s had a great year,” Sweetnam said of the talented gelding, who continues to impress as he steps up to the bigger tracks.

Hot on their heels, Germany’s Rupert Carl Winkelmann produced a lightning-fast double-clear of his own with Imodo (Quasimodo Z x Corland), owned by Eickendorf Horses GMBH & Co. KG. Their time of 44.65 seconds was just fractions shy of Sweetnam’s benchmark, securing them a strong second-place finish. Rounding out the top three was Natalie Dean (USA) aboard Con Calma (Cascadello x Cancara), owned by Marigold Sporthorses LLC, who stopped the clock at 46.86 seconds in another smooth, polished jump-off round. For Sweetnam, the win was especially meaningful: “So it’s actually my first Grand Prix win this year, so it’s nice to get it over the line and win,” he shared. “I was a bit worried with Jad [Dana] going in because he’s a very fast rider. I was thinking this would be another second-place again.”

After reflecting on his round, Sweetnam also praised the newly updated footing at Wellington International, a key upgrade riders had been discussing throughout the week. “I didn’t jump so many horses this week, but the warm-up is definitely much, much better, and they’re jumping well off it,” he noted. “And the ring has always been very high standard. So, you know, it’s nice to have new footing, fresh footing, and I’m sure the horses enjoy it.” With several riders carrying momentum into the day’s final class, the Grand Prix proved to be an exciting and influential highlight in Saturday’s lineup.