It was a grand prix doubleheader in the International Ring, showcasing two major classes across an action-packed day. The morning featured the $120,000 Zycosan CSI3* Grand Prix, followed by the $24,999 Haig Landscape Grand Prix in the afternoon. FEI Level 3 Course Designer Héctor J. Loyola (PUR) was behind both tracks, presenting riders with technical questions and forward-thinking lines.

The $120,000 Zycosan CSI3* Grand Prix set the stage for the final stretch of Saturday’s international competition, serving as a thrilling lead-in to the last class of the day. Course designer Héctor Loyola built a track that demanded accuracy and scope, and Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam rose to the challenge aboard Coriaan van Klapscheut Z, owned by Voquest LLC. The pair delivered a confident clear in the first round before returning to the jump-off with purpose, navigating tight turns and forward distances to finish in a winning time of 44.5 seconds. “He’s still only nine, but he’s had a great year,” Sweetnam said of the talented gelding, who continues to impress as he steps up to the bigger tracks.

Hot on their heels, Germany’s Rupert Carl Winkelmann produced a lightning-fast double-clear of his own with Imodo, owned by Eickendorf Horses GMBH & Co. KG. Their time of 44.65 seconds was just fractions shy of Sweetnam’s benchmark, securing them a strong second-place finish. Rounding out the top three was Natalie Dean (USA) aboard Con Calma, owned by Marigold Sporthorses LLC, who stopped the clock at 46.86 seconds in another smooth, polished jump-off round. For Sweetnam, the win was especially meaningful: “So it’s actually my first Grand Prix win this year, so it’s nice to get it over the line and win,” he shared. “I was a bit worried with Jad [Dana] going in because he’s a very fast rider. I was thinking this would be another second-place again.”

After reflecting on his round, Sweetnam also praised the newly updated footing at Wellington International, a key upgrade riders had been discussing throughout the week. “I didn’t jump so many horses this week, but the warm-up is definitely much, much better, and they’re jumping well off it,” he noted. “And the ring has always been very high standard. So, you know, it’s nice to have new footing, fresh footing, and I’m sure the horses enjoy it.” With several riders carrying momentum into the day’s final class, the grand prix proved to be an exciting and influential highlight in Saturday’s lineup.

RESULTS: $120,000 Zycosan CSI3* Grand Prix

1. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) | Coriaan van Klapscheut Z | R1: 0F/70.27 | JO: 0F/44.50 2. Rupert Carl Winkelmann (GER) | Imodo | R1: 0F/71.13 | JO: 0F/44.65 3. Natalie Dean (USA) | Con Calma | R1: 0F/72.09 | JO: 0F/46.86 4. Nayel Nassar (EGY) | S&L Maracana | R1: 0F/71.83 | JO: 0F/46.93 5. Alison Robitaille (USA) | Claire de Lune 33 | R1: 0F/71.17 | JO: 0F/47.27 6. Jad Dana (LBN) | Itchcock des Dames | R1: 0F/71.26 | JO: 4F/44.40

7. Pablo Mejia Villa (COL) | Lontender | R1: 0F/72.04 | JO: 4F/46.33 8. Tanner Korotkin (USA) | Kinmar Quality Hero | R1: 0F/74.59 | JO: 4F/48.58 9. Margie Goldstein-Engle (USA) | Dicas | R1: 0F/75.41 | JO: 4F/50.10 10. David Blake (IRL) | Conblue | R1: 0F/74.10 | JO: 4F/51.47 11. Brian Cournane (USA) | Artic JT Z | R1: 0F/73.99 | JO: 4F/52.25 12. Pieter de Brabandere (BEL) | First Choice HT | R1: 0F/71.32 | JO: 8F/46.12

Blake Leads a Tight Podium in the Haig Landscape Grand Prix

RESULTS: $24,999 Haig Landscape Grand Prix

1. David Blake (IRL) & “Gucci des Embruns” | Round 1: 0 faults | 76.971 seconds | Jump-Off: 0 faults | 40.877 seconds 2. Abigail McArdle (USA) & “Olympia van het Eikenhof” | Round 1: 0 faults | 79.075 seconds | Jump-Off: 0 faults | 41.377 seconds 3. Heather Caristo-Williams (USA) & “Contino-Quick MVF” | Round 1: 0 faults | 76.395 seconds | Jump-Off: 0 faults | 42.655 seconds 4. Gabriela Reutter (CHI) & “Mahares Rock” | Round 1: 0 faults | 75.838 seconds | Jump-Off: 4 faults | 39.71 seconds 5.  Antonio José Martinez Goiri (VEN) & “Octavius SCF” | Round 1: 0 faults | 76.341 seconds | Jump-Off: 4 faults | 41.44 seconds 6. Tomas Yofre (ARG) & “Kingston” | Round 1: 0 faults | 79.214 secondsJump-Off: 4 faults | 41.556 seconds

7. Taylor St. Jacques (CAN) & “Hopefull Menjoulet” | Round 1: 0 faults | 78.567 seconds | Jump-Off: 8 faults | 44.269 seconds 8. Hallie Grimes (USA) & “Lady Applaus” | Round 1: 0 faults | 77.311 seconds | Jump-Off: 8 faults | 46.089 seconds 9. McKayla Langmeier (USA) & “Darknight de Maluga”Round 1: 1 time fault | 80.665 seconds 10. Morgane Qualls (USA) & “Favorite d’Armanville” | Round 1: 2 faults | 81.417 seconds 11. Kristen Vanderveen (USA) & “Bull Run’s Kingdom” | Round 1: 4 faults | 74.14 seconds 12. Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) & “Emirat Bois Passe” | Round 1: 4 faults | 74.668 seconds

The fall circuit rolls forward with the SFHJA 75th Annual Charity Horse Show kicking off next week, headlined by the $40,000 Bainbridge Companies Grand Prix. Interested riders can register via the link below. The ESP Holiday & Horses CSI4* follows shortly after on November 26 – 30, closing with the impressive $200,000 FEI CSI4* Holiday & Horses Grand Prix. It’s an exciting run of competition, promising thrilling performances each step of the way.

Photos © Cassidy Klein

By Wellington International Press