Sweetnam takes third, Swail fifth in New York Grand Prix

CORK’S Shane Sweetnam narrowly missed the jump-off at the three-star Grand Prix in Central Park, New York last night (Friday) when a single time fault denied him the cut.

However, with only two zero scores recorded in the first round, the Irish rider, piloting Spy Coast Farm’s nine year-old stallion Chaqui Z, was able to claim a creditable third place in the big Rolex feature class.

Sweetnam said afterwards: “The atmosphere was great last year, but I think it was even better this year. I’m delighted with my horse. The time fault was my fault and the course jumped world-class.”

First place went to Colombia’s Daniel Bluman on Conconcreto Believe, with the other jump-off finalist, New Zealand’s Sharn Wordley and Barnetta taking the runner-up slot, both achieving double clear rounds.

The Grand Prix also saw Co. Down’s Conor Swail in fifth place, with Susan Grange’s Simba de la Roque lowering a single pole in the first round for a fast four fault performance.