Call it a crescendo leading to the big finale.
The last Adequan Winter Equestrian Festival Challenge class of the season on Thursday was a star-studded qualifier for Saturday’s $1 million Rolex U.S. Equestrian Open Grand Prix.
A field of 60 from 17 countries battled for 30 spots in the big class. The contest at the Wellington International showgrounds blazed in the Florida sun over a course designed by Guilherme Jorge and his team. The lineup included individual Olympic gold medalists and six of the world’s top 10-ranked show jumpers.
The competitors were riding not only for a piece of the $116,100 in prize money, but also for 30 slots in the $1 million 5-star.
The format was “winning round,” with the top 12 coming back to jump off. Theoretically. But five of the group declined to participate in the tiebreaker, saving their horses for the $1 million effort this weekend.
One who didn’t have to worry about that factor was the winner, U.S.-based Irishman Shane Sweetnam, who was fault-free in 39.71 seconds with Coriaan van Klapscheut Z to edge European Champion Richie Vogel of Germany on the aptly-named gray stallion, Cloudio, timed in 40.53.
Richie Vogel and Cloudio.
Cori was doing the groundwork for Shane’s top horse, James Kann Kruz, so he could gain a slot in the big class. James Kann Kruz, fondly known as Gizmo, had been double-clear as part of the second-place Irish team last weekend in the Longines League of Nations class at the World Equestrian Festival in Ocala. So he deserved a break.
As far as Cori went, “there were two plans for him this week: One to qualify and two, to win the class,” said Shane. Mission accomplished.
“In other years, Gizmo has jumped this class and I’ve scratched the jump-off.”
In view of the fact that Gizmo wasn’t as fresh as he could have been because of his Ocala effort, Shane noted, “I thought (entering Cori) was a better gamble and also keeps Gizmo fresh for Saturday night.”
Shane Sweetnam and Coriaan van Klapscheut Z.
He was full of praise for Cori, a 10-year-old Zangersheide son of Comme Il Faut 5, calling him “a brilliant horse. He’s so consistent, and especially the last six weeks, we’ve really sort of figured each other out and we’re in contention for most classes.”
Shane noted he had ridden the horse’s granddam, Coriana van Klapscheutz.
“She won an awful lot of WEFs in this ring as well, so it’s in his blood,” he said, noting the horse has “a very high ring IQ.”
Ben Maher, the Tokyo Olympics individual gold medalist, shocked onlookers when his mount, Dallas Vegas Batilly, refused the second fence, then did it again on another try smashing through the rails as Ben and the horse’s bridle headed groundward..
The obstacle was an airy vertical with a rail set diagonally across the open area of the jump. But since Olympic gold medalists have automatic entry to the $1 million class, we can expect to see Ben participating.
One big name who won’t be in the line-up Saturday is McLain Ward, who had a hairline fracture in his hand after a fall earlier this month and is not competing as a result.
Those who qualified for the tiebreaker but played it safe by opting out were tied for eighth. They included Belgium’s Nikola Philippaerts (Gadget Mouche), Ireland’s Darragh Kenny (Eddy Blue), France’s Nina Malavey (Dynastie de Beauvoir), and Karl Cook (Caracole de la Roque) and Spencer Smith (Keeneland) from the USA.
The last chance for riders to qualify is Friday’s 1.50 meter class. It also has 60 entries.
Click here for results.
