Runner-up finish for Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz (ISH) in Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva
Cork-born Olympian Shane Sweetnam and the Patrick Connolly-bred gelding CSF James Kann Cruz (ISH) have produced another exceptional performance on the world stage, to finish as runners-up in today’s (Sunday) five-star Rolex Grand Prix of Geneva in Switzerland.
The competition was part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, one of just four such majors held annually around the world.
A world-class field saw eight combinations jump clear in the first round to advance to the jump-off, with Derry’s Daniel Coyle narrowly missing out on a place in the second round when he picked up just one time fault aboard Incredible.
Sweetnam completed a double clear performance and pocketed a cool Quarter of Million Euro for his second place finish, coming home just over a second behind American winner Kent Farrington with Greya. Belgium’s Belgium’s Thibeau Spits filled third place on the podium with Impress-k Van’t Kattenheye Z.
The result crowned an impressive week for Irish riders in Geneva, including Meath’s O’Connor who scored no less than three podium finishes. He partnered Genghis Khan to third place in Friday’s1m55 speed class, while he also finished third with Chatolinue PS in Thursday’s 1m60 jump-off and guided Canbella Blue PS to a third place finish in Geneva’s 1m45 Two Phase.
Derry’s Daniel Coyle powered to victory in Friday’s 1m45 speed class with the 9-year-old mare Daydream. Coyle stopped the clock clear in 56.27 to outpace Swiss rider Bryan Balsiger and Castiel (56.41) who finished as runners-up.
There was also an outstanding performance in Geneva from Kilkenny’s Timmy Brennan and the 10-year-old mare Diadema Della Caccia, to take victory in Saturday’s U25 Grand Prix Range Rover. They came out on top after a 12-horse jump-off and finished with over a second to spare over Swiss runner-up Gilles Müller with Giavanna Cb. Timmy Brennan had earlier also taken victory in the first U25 Grand Prix qualifier in Geneva on Thursday.
Galway’s Cathal Daniels and the Margaret Kinsella-bred 18-year-old mare Rioghan Rua (ISH) added to Irish success with a runner-up finish in Friday’s indoor Cross Country at the same venue.
BREEDING
CSF James Kann Cruz (ISH) – 2013 gelding by Kannan out of CSF Telly Cruz by Cruising, bred by Patrick Connolly owned by Gizmo partners LLC. Ridden by Shane Sweetnam.
Rioghan Rua (ISH) – 2007 mare by Jack Of Diamonds (SWB) out of Highland Destiny (ISH), by Flagmount King (ID). Breeder: Margaret Kinsella, Galway. Owners: Frank & Margaret Kinsella. Rider: Cathal Daniels (IRL)