Shane Sweetnam Strikes Gold in the MARS Equestrian CSI4* Grand Prix at Wellington
Wellington, Florida — Irish Olympic rider Shane Sweetnam claimed a prestigious victory in the MARS Equestrian CSI4* Grand Prix, riding Coriaan van Klapscheut Z to the top of the leaderboard on the iconic grass arena of the Derby Field at Wellington International. The class marked one of the highlights of Saturday during the fourth week of the Winter Equestrian Festival, the renowned circuit featuring twelve consecutive weeks of international competition, set to conclude on March 29.
Over a demanding course designed by Brazilian course designer Anderson Lima, six horse-and-rider combinations advanced to the jump-off. Five double-clear rounds ultimately left the outcome to be decided by the clock. Sweetnam and the 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding — by Comme Il Faut 5 out of a Lord Z Z mare — produced a blistering round, slicing more than three seconds off the leading time to stop the clock at an untouchable 41.40 seconds.
“I thought it would take longer for him to reach this level,” Sweetnam said. “When he started jumping FEI classes last year, I didn’t have many horses, but he adapted immediately. In his very first FEI week here, he was second in the WEF Challenge Cup. He’s taken to it like a duck to water: he’s competitive and, above all, he genuinely wants to leave the rails up.”
The win was sealed in an all-Irish showdown. Bertram Allen finished a close second, just half a second behind, aboard Conquest de Rigo, stopping the clock at 41.95 seconds. It was a top-class performance that underlined both the balance and the quality of the jump-off.
“I’ve been second so many times — that was kind of the story of my last season,” Sweetnam joked. “It’s nice that this time he’s helped me take that step forward and get the win. With horses, especially at this level, they’re the ones who set the plan: now he’s comfortable, and we can just fine-tune things.”
The home crowd also had reason to celebrate, as American rider Natalie Dean rounded out the podium in third place with Mr Boombastic, a 12-year-old Selle Français gelding (Vigo Cece x Sable Rose) owned by Marigold Sporthorses. Dean delivered a clear jump-off round in 44.03 seconds.
Victory in the CSI4* at Wellington further cements the remarkably rapid rise of the Sweetnam–Coriaan van Klapscheut Z partnership, which had already made headlines at the end of 2025 with a three-star Grand Prix win at the same venue. A clear statement of intent as the Winter Equestrian Festival continues to deliver sport of the very highest calibre.
Shane Sweetnam & Coriaan van Klapscheut Z © Sportfot
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