Shane Sweetnam and Alejandro in their winning presentation. Photo © Andrew Ryback Photography.
Press release from Traverse City Horse Shows
Shane Sweetnam (IRL) wasn’t going to let the summer pass without a big victory. This one came in Thursday’s $37,000 CSI3* Corcoran Group Speed aboard Alejandro, a horse no stranger to the winner’s circle.
Sweetnam had two rides out of the 36 starting entries in Thursday's class. Over a track built by Germany’s Olaf Petersen, Jr., the Irish rider piloted Caraghs Quality Lady, owned by Anna Beth Athey, to an early lead after clocking in at 65.45 seconds. His lead would hold strong until he returned to the ring 32nd in the order aboard Alejandro, the 13-year-old Rhinelander gelding (Acorado’s Ass x Continue) he owns with Seabrook LLC and Spy Coast Farm.
Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Alejandro. Photo © Andrew Ryback Photography.
Putting his own time to the test, Sweetnam raced around the long, winding track and shaved off just below half a second which set a new time-to-beat of 64.60 seconds with only four remaining to challenge him.
The only pair to come close was Lisa Goldman-Smolen (USA) with Sovereign as the final combination on course. Denying Sweetnam the one-two finish, she piloted Barbara Disko’s 16-year-old Selle Francais stallion (Frontal x Galoubet A) across the finish line in 65.01 seconds to secure second place and pushed Sweetnam to third aboard Caraghs Quality Lady.
Final Results: $37,000 CSI3* Corcoran Group Speed
1. ALEJANDRO: 2009 RHEIN gelding by Acorado’s Ass x Continue
SHANE SWEETNAM (IRL), Shane Sweetnam, Seabrook LLC, and Spy Coast Farm: 0/64.60
2. SOVEREIGN: 2006 SF stallion by Frontal x Galoubet A
LISA GOLDMAN-SMOLEN (USA), Barbara Disko: 0/65.01
3. CARAGHS QUALITY LADY: 2013 ISH mare by Obos Quality x Limmerick
SHANE SWEETNAM (IRL), Anna Beth Athey: 0/65.45
4. CARLCHEN W: 2008 MECKL gelding by Chacco Blue x Continue
ALEX GRANATO (USA), The Bright Lights Group: 0/65.65
5. BABYCOMEBACK: 2011 SF mare by Corofino II x Joyau D’or A
ROBERTO TERAN TAFUR (COL), Trefoil Farm LLC: 0/66.24
6. HIGHWAY FBH: 2010 KWPN gelding by Plot Blue x Cornet Obolensky
JACOB POPE (USA), Team Rakowsky Equestrian LLC: 0/66.77
7. AKUNA MATTATA: 2008 AHHA mare by Quinar Z x Landwind II
NICOLE SHAHINIAN SIMPSON (USA), Silver Raven Farms: 0/66.98
8. SANTANA: 2013 HOLST gelding by Cascadello x Carthago
ROBERTO TERAN TAFUR (COL), Rocking Basilisk Farm LLC: 0/68.07
9. IDEAAL ES: 2013 KWPN gelding by Ukato x Conway
FILIPPO PIGNATTI (ITA), Take The High Road, LLC: 0/71.82
10. CAPTAIN COOPER: 2007 KWPN gelding by Namelus R x Corland
HILARY MCNERNEY (USA), Hilary McNerney: 0/72.17
11. LOVELIGHT: 2011 HOLST stallion by Lord Z x Lordship
HILARY MCNERNEY (USA), Hilary McNerney: 0/72.59
12. EXTASY: 2012 HOLST mare by Quadros x Clearway
VICTORIA KETCHUM (USA), Copperline Farm LLC: 0/73.55
Then