News

Sweetnam and Solerina steal the show in CSI 4* GP

Mar 25, 2013

Week eleven of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF), sponsored by Artisan Farms, concluded on Sunday, March 24, with a full day of jumper action on the derby field at The Stadium at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Ireland's Shane Sweetnam and Solerina won the highlight $101,000 Pennfield Feeds CSI 4* Grand Prix in a five-horse jump-off over Marie Hecart (FRA) and Myself de Breve and Kirsten Coe (USA) and Baronez.

In the $101,000 Pennfield Feeds CSI 4* Grand Prix, 34 entries showed over Jeffery's feature track with five clear rounds advancing to the jump-off. Two cleared the short course without fault, and Shane Sweetnam guided Sweet Oak and Spy Coast Farms' Solerina to victory with the fastest clear round in 41.17 seconds.

Marie Hecart and Normandie Connections' Myself de Breve cleared the jump-off course in 42.45 seconds to place second. In third, Kirsten Coe and Ilan Ferder's Baronez had one time fault in 45.58 seconds. Kent Farrington (USA) and Robin Parksy's Blue Angel had one rail down in 42.45 seconds to earn the fourth place honors, and Reed Kessler (USA) and Mika placed fifth with four faults in 43.87 seconds.
Sweetnam's winning mount, Solerina, is a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare by Cruising x Diamond Lad that he owns in collaboration with his sponsor, Spy Coast Farm. Believe it or not, Sunday's win was Sweetnam's first win in an international FEI grand prix as well as his horse's first time ever showing in a grand prix at any level. The stars aligned for the pair on the field this weekend as they earned an exciting victory.

Final Results: $101,000 Pennfield Feeds CSI 4* Grand Prix

1. SOLERINA: SHANE SWEETNAM (IRL) 0/0/41.17

2. MYSELF DE BREVE: MARIE HECART (FRA) 0/0/42.45

3. BARONEZ: KIRSTEN COE (USA) 1/45.58

4. BLUE ANGEL: KENT FARRINGTON (USA) 0/4/42.45

5. MIKA: REED KESSLER (USA) 0/4/43.87

6. ROTHCHILD: MCLAIN WARD (USA), 4/84.66

7. OLYMPIC DE CHAMANT: JOHNATHON CORRIGAN (IRL) 4/85.25

8. ROMANTOVICH TAKE ONE: CHRISTINE MCCREA (USA) 4/85.39

9. ROUNDTHORN MADIOS: LAUREN TISBO (USA) 4/85.66

10. AVENZIO 3: TAIZO SUGITANI (JPN) 4/86.02

11. MARTHA LOUISE: CONOR SWAIL (IRL) 4/87.00

12. CORTES 'C': BEEZIE MADDEN (USA) 4/88.15

Source Lauren Fisher and Laura Cardon for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.