Shane Sweetnam claims the Welcome Stakes
FTI WEF week eight, sponsored by G&C Farm, runs February 26-March 2, 2014, featuring CSIO 4* show jumping and a full schedule of 'AA' hunter and equitation events. The week will highlight the $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™, presented by G&C Farm, on Friday, February 28. There are Hollow Creek Farm classes for Children's, Juniors and Young Riders throughout the week as well as three separate FEI Nations' Cup team events on Saturday, March 1. Many other exciting jumper classes will be featured throughout the week.
Thursday hosts the $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 8, and Friday will feature a $10,000 G&C Farm Speed Stake. The $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m and $25,000 Nutrena Jumper Classic will be held on Saturday. The week will conclude on Sunday with a $25,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic as well as the $150,000 CSIO 4* Grand Prix, presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty.
Steve Stephens (USA) is the course designer in the International Arena for week eight competition. In the $5,000 Welcome Stake day session, Stephens saw 51 entries over his speed track with 11 clear rounds. Shane Sweetnam and his speedy mount Solerina, owned by Sweet Oak and Spy Coast Farms, completed the fastest time of the class in 63.54 seconds for the win.
Mexico's Eugenio Garza finished second with El Milagro's Providence 3 in 65.88 seconds. Ireland's Kevin Babington and Shorapur placed third in 70.13 seconds, and USA's Christine McCrea and Candy Tribble's Romantovich Take One finished fourth in 70.92 seconds.
“She jumped good,” Sweetnam said of his winning round. “She is naturally quick. I didn't really go full speed with her, I just did all of the turns. She is good at turns, and I think that was the difference.”
“A lot of people are just schooling for the week,” Sweetnam noted. “It's not a big money class, but it's still the opening class of CSIO week, so I knew if I could do my turns then I would be up there. That is what I planned to do, and that is what I did.”
Final Results: $5,000 CSIO Welcome Stake – Day Session
1. SOLERINA: 1999 Irish Sport Horse mare by Cruising x Diamond Lad
SHANE SWEETNAM (IRL), Sweet Oak & Spy Coast Farms: 0/63.54
2. PROVIDENCE 3: 2005 Hanoverian stallion by Provider x Rabino
EUGENIO GARZA (MEX), El Milagro: 0/65.88
3. SHORAPUR: 2005 Hanoverian mare by Stakkato Gold x Drosselklang II
KEVIN BABINGTON (IRL), Shorapur LLC: 0/70.13
4. ROMANTOVICH TAKE ONE: 2000 KWPN gelding by Numero Uno x Karandasj
CHRISTINE MCCREA (USA), Candy Tribble: 0/70.92
5. EVERY WAY: 2004 Belgian Warmblood mare by Upsilon van de Heffinck x Beach Boy
LAUREN HOUGH (USA), Belle Grey Farm: 0/72.48
6. WAOMI: 2003 KWPN mare by Lupicor x Boreas
MEAGAN NUSZ (USA), Amalaya Investments: 0/72.88
7. ADLANTEUR: 2000 Hanoverian stallion by Adlantus As x Chasseur I
HENRIK GUNDERSEN (DEN), Henrik Gundersen: 0/74.00
8. DARCON SCHEEFKASTEEL Z: 2005 Zangersheide gelding by Darco x Contender
LAUREN TISBO (USA), Tequestrian Farms LLC: 0/74.42
9. SI BELLA: 2006 Selle Francais mare by Diamant de Semilly x Digne Espoir
ADAM PRUDENT (FRA), Henri Prudent: 0/74.46
10. BOKAI: 2006 gelding by Up to Date x Ferro
VICTORIA GUILLKSEN (NOR), Stall Guillik: 0/74.61
11. CALVANO VH HARTEVELD Z: 2005 Zangersheide stallion by Calvaro Z x Nabab de Reve
CARLOS MILTHALER (CHI), Santana Stables LLC: 0/74.66
12. WIRMA: 2003 KWPN mare by Hors La Loi III x Lux
BRIANNE GOUTAL (USA), Remarkable Farms LP: 2/80.31