Irish course designer Alan Wade has laid out show jumping fences across Europe and North America, with the FEI World Cup Finals and the FEI World Equestrian Games among the many competitions that have benefited from his style.
But until this week, he had never designed at the National Horse Show, so he was new to the Alltech Arena in Lexington, Ky., and the characteristics of that ring.
“It is quite a funny shape, but the horses seem to be jumping well. I try to build a course that’s friendly, but still gets a nice result,” said Alan, who was assisted at the show by Olympic designer Steve Stephens.
“This is quite a big ring, so it jumps a bit more like an outdoor than the indoors we have in Europe,” Alan observed.
As always seems to be the case, Alan’s efforts created classes that were both fair to the riders and exciting for the spectators.
The show’s highlight, the $226,000 4-star Longines FEI World Cup Qualifier Saturday night, drew an international field of 28, with 11 coming through to the tiebreaker.
U.S.-based Irish rider Shane Sweetnam made the most economical of turns in the jump-off with James Kann Cruz, his wife’s Irish sport horse by Kannan. He was rewarded with a clear round in the time of 33.41 seconds. His approach to the double combination showed a bit of bravery that paid off.
World Cup qualifier winner Shane Sweetnam with judge Maria de Lourdes Arrambide, National Horse Show Chairman Bill Weeks and NHS President Jennifer Burger.
“I just tried to keep it as smooth as I could, he’s a great horse, he’s always going to try to jump it,” said Shane, noting, “actually, we slipped a little bit, but it gave us room and then we just tried to keep it coming. You know, he’s giving his best all the time. He really is a show-off, he really wants to perform.
“I know with all the horses after me that I would have to be fast,” remarked Shane, who was fourth to go in the tiebreaker. His time of 33.41 seconds did the trick.
Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz. (Shawn McMillen Photography)
While he’s had a good year, finishing high up in a number of grands prix, he hadn’t earned first place in one during 2023 until he succeeded with the National’s feature.
He added, “I’m delighted to have won this, especially in Kentucky,” where he has been a regular in the winner’s circle at the Kentucky Horse Park.
His whole family is with him at the show, including his wife, Ali, and daughter Olivia, who was riding in the ASPCA Maclay finals the day after her father’s victory.
Last year’s National grand prix winner, Daniel Bluman of Israel, couldn’t repeat his 2022 feat, but came close in 34.14 seconds with Gemma W.
After the class he had a comment about the turbulence in the Middle East.
“I want to send my thoughts and prayers to everyone that is currently affected, by the war,” he said, referring to the situation in Israel and Gaza.
“It’s a real tragedy and we’re praying for our resolution for the hostages to come back, and for peace in a better future.”
U.S. competitor Devin Ryan, third last weekend in the 5-star World Cup qualifier at the Washington International show, earned that placing again with his long-time partner, Eddie Blue, clear in 34.22 seconds.
“He really is quite a fighter,” Devin said of Eddie.
“You know, at home in the stables and everything he has a big personality. He’s a bit cheeky and when he goes in the ring, he just loves his job. He puts his ears forward every time he goes in the ring. He likes being on the stage.”
Interestingly, the top three in the class all rode grey horses.
Devin leads the North American League standings for next year’s World Cup finals in Saudi Arabia. He has 30 points to 28 for Shane—who had never won a Cup qualifier before—and 25 for Alise Oken.