Riders with a Florida connection dominated the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Finals at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show Sunday, with the top three from a field of 157 linked to the Sunshine State.
Olivia Sweetnam, the Wellington, Fla.-based daughter of Irish team stalwart Shane Sweetnam and his wife, trainer Ali Sweetnam, took the title. She is coached by Ken and Emily Smith of Ashland Farm in Wellington. They also trained runner-up Parker Peacock, who was on Montverdi. Third-place Lily Epstein of Coral Gables, Fla., is coached by Ken and Emily as well, and Ali Sweetnam. She rode Charlie Brown, the best horse a week ago at the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals East.
It took more than 10 hours to sort out the placings. A group of 25 riders, who included Olivia’s brother, Collin, were tested over a new course after the original group had finished performing in front of judges Ralph Caristo and Michael Tokaruk at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.
The top four also included Emi Richard, who rides with New York trainer Andre Dignelli. The finalists were asked to handle yet another test, involving two counter-canters, a trot fence and a hand gallop.
Olivia was aboard Efendi, the horse Brian Moggre rode to the Medal win in 2018.
“For the first round, I just wanted a smooth, consistent round. I didn’t want many changes in pace,” said Olivia, who was quick to credit her horse.
“All three rounds actually were very suited to my horse, so I’m very thankful for that. Efendi is the best, and I knew that he was beyond capable of this. He’s done it before with different riders, so he’s really the talent in the pair.”
Of the 17-year-old Holsteiner gelding, owned by Ashland Farms, Sweetnam continued, “I’ve been riding Efendi for I’d say almost two years…This is my second finals season on him, my second year at Medal Finals. He means so much to me. I’m so thankful to be able to ride him.
“This is my fourth time doing Medal Finals, I believe, and I’ve been lucky enough to have a really good go all three times,” continued Olivia, who finished fourth in 2023 and fifth in 2024.
“This is my third year in a row testing, and I’ve tragically messed up the test both other times. So I’m really happy to be able to pull it off today. I’ve been wanting to win this final for a really long time.”
Olivia’s family wrote on their Sweet Oak facebook page what the victory meant to them:
Medal winner Olivia Sweetnam. (Pennsylvania National Horse Show Photo)
In other action at the show, Clara Propp won the Turnham Green/USEF Junior Jumper National Championship on Mistral van de Vogelzang Saturday night. Second went to Avery Griffin and Oh My Star Van Strytem. JJ Torano and Lyon 50 took home the bronze.
“My horse is absolutely incredible,” Clara said about her 13-year-old Belgian warmblood gelding, owned by Aquitaine Equine.
“I’m really happy that it all came together tonight. I feel like I’ve been working on my partnership with him for almost a year now, and tonight really solidified that. Coming into tonight, I was going in fifth, so I knew I kind of didn’t really have anything to lose. I just wanted to put down a solid, clear round and hope for the best.”
JJ was presented with the William C. Steinkraus Style of Riding Award Perpetual Trophy, donated by Karen Healey. The award recognizes the junior jumper rider who is deemed by the judges to best exemplify the American style of equitation and the respectful, dignified, courteous and workmanlike manner of a true sportsman