CORK’s Shane Sweetnam won the three-star $140,000 Hagyard Grand Prix at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show aboard Alejandro.

In a competitive class, 38 horse and rider combinations lined out to vie for victory and the lion’s share of the decent prize pot. USA course designer Oscar Soberon built a techinal track, over which only four managed to keep a clean sheet.

Britian’s Jessica Mendoza was first to go with Play, and she set the standard with a clear in 42.06 seconds. However, last to go, Sweetnam was keen for victory and as he set off with Sweet Oak Farm, Paul Tracy, and Spy Coast Farm’s experienced 13-year-old gelding Alejandro, he took strategic risks that paid off in the end when he broke the beams almost two seconds faster in 40.33 to earn $35,000.

Mendoza took home second place, while Australia’s James Arkins was the only other clear against the clock with EuroStar 1 finished in third place.

Quick horse

Speaking afterwards, Sweetnam said: “I just wanted to jump clear on the first round, the way the class started I thought there were going to be a good few clear, but it settled down and there weren’t so many. It was a nice first round, he jumped well and relaxed which I was happy with. The course designer did a great job of having it be that number. There were not too many big scores so I thought he did a good job for both sets of riders.

“The jump-off, being last to go I knew what I had to do. The last Grand Prix in Miami, we were second. We were early in the draw that day, so today I didn’t want to leave it there. I know he’s a quick horse, so we were quick at the start, slowed down for the double and was quick again to the last, and luckily it worked out.

“Alejandro is going to Vancouver in two weeks, so next week I jump my younger horse, Hollywood here. She has done a couple three-stars and I am hoping she can get some good experience and maybe be competitive as well. It’s a great venue for her and to jump under the lights is great.”