CORK's Shane Sweetnam was one of two Irish riders to place in the CSIO5* 1.60m Grand Prix on FEI Nations Cup weekend at Langley, Vancouver. Sweetnam and Galway's Andrew Bourns put in strong performances.

Competing in the CSIO5* 1.60m Grand Prix, Sweetnam finished an impressive second, with Bourns claiming fifth.

Riding nine-year-old Out of the Blue SCF, owned by Spy Coast Farm LLC, Sweetnam was one only four riders to progress to the jump-off on what was just the mare’s second appearance at five-star level. The pair stopped in the clock in the jump-off in 43.05 seconds.

Victory went to American rider Shawn Cassady and NKH Centro Blue in a time of 42.46 seconds.

The home nation completed the podium with a safe clear round in the jump-off from Samantha Buirs and Chic D Emma Z.

An unfortunate elimination in the jump-off left fellow Canadian rider Kara Chad in fourth.

Bourns and the Irish Sport Horse Sea Topblue, owned by Andrew Bourns and OBS Equestrian LLC, were the fastest of the riders who picked up four faults in the initial round.

At the same venue, Derry's Jordan Coyle claimed victory in the 1.45m Ranking Class with Ariso, a 12-year-old gelding owned by Elan Farm.

Drammen Nations Cup

In team action in Norway, The Underwriting Exchange Irish Show Jumping Team claimed second place in the Longines EEF Nations Cup Regional Qualifier in Drammen.

Under the direction of Deputy High Performance Manager Taylor Vard, the team of Matt Garrigan, Nano Healy, birthday boy Diarmuid Howley and Conor Drain finished as runners up after a thrilling jump-off with The Netherlands.

On what proved a dramatic afternoon, Ireland were left needing a clear round from Drain but a mishap in the warm-up arena saw him part company from his mount, resulting in a broken bridle.

It meant Irish staff behind the scenes were left scrambling - to catch the loose horse and also to repair the broken bridle.

Little would anyone have known it was the case, however, with Drain cantering into the arena to jump a foot-perfect clear round and secure Ireland a place in the jump-off.

With just one rider from each team selected for the jump-off, it came down to Garrigan riding against Eric Ten Cate. An excellent clear round in 40.14 seconds left it all to play for.

Unfortunately, Ten Cate had the advantage of being in the second rider into the arena, leaving The Netherlands in pole position.

Speaking after the drama that unfolded, Vard said: “It was all up to Conor Drain - he was warming up and there were shadows on the fences, the horse spooked causing Conor to fall. This happened with only four riders before him. The horse then ran away and the bridle broke.

“We had to run and get bits of the bridle together, then he was back on the horse, a couple of jumps and he jumped a clear round. It was unbelievable!”

“We were in the jump-off and Matt’s horse is a young horse. It was a gamble, he went as fast as he could on such a young horse but I have to say they were brilliant, absolutely brilliant.”

Breeding details

Sea Topblue (ISH) – 2011 gelding by Chacco Blue (MECKL) out of Sea Top Lady (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN). Breeders: James & John Meade, Co. Clare. Owner: Andrew Bourns and OBS Equestrian LLC. Rider: Andrew Bourns (IRL).

Source: Horse Sport Ireland press release

The Irish Show Jumping team is sponsored by The Underwriting Exchange

Charles Ancona – Official athlete clothing supplier to HSI’s Senior Olympic programmes