Text © World of Showjumping

The 2023-edition of Dublin Horse Show – that hosts the final European stop of the season in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup-series – kicked off on Wednesday with the CSIO5* 1.60m Sport Ireland Classic as the feature class of the day, where Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Out Of The Blue SCF (Verdi TN x Cassini I) took a popular home win. 

With a time of 66.15, Sweetnam – currrently ranked no. seven on the Longines Ranking – and the 9-year-old Out Of The Blue SCF were the quickest pair in the 1.60m class judged as Table A against the clock and took the win ahead of Eduardo Alvarez Aznar (ESP) and Legend (Ogano Sitte x Nabab de Reve) in second in 66.88.

"It's great to win on the opening day at home in Ireland," Sweetnam commented to World of Showjumping. "And even more exciting to win such a big class with a horse bred by the Spy Coast Farm."

The Irish riders were out in force, with Max Wachman (IRL) on Quintini (Quintender x Cassini II) placing third in 67.10, followed by his mentor Cian O'Connor and Tipperary (Arko III x Diamant de Semilly) in fourth in 67.54. Switzerland's Steve Guerdat and Albführen's Maddox (Cohiba x Maraton) finished fifth in 67.99 seconds.

Also the two opening classes in Dublin were won by Irish riders: Mikey Pender and HHS Vancouver (Indoctro x Don Juan de la Bouverie) were the fastest amongst the clears in the 1.45m Speed Stakes, while Jessica Burke and Inpulls (Dallas x Labor's VDL Indorado) took the top honours in the 1.45m Minerva Stakes Sponsored By LHK Insurance.