North Salem, New York, USA – September 26, 2018 – Returning for its 48th year, the 2018 American Gold Cup kicked off FEI competition on Wednesday afternoon with the addition of the $10,000 1.45m Jumper CSI 4* class, presented by Morrissey Management Group, at Old Salem Farm. Irish athletes Shane Sweetnam and Willie Tynan captured the top two placings respectively, while the Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) finished in third.
Second to last in the starting order, Sweetnam guided his long-time partner and proven winner, Cyklon 1083, to a blazing and uncatchable time of 61.29 seconds to capture one of the first FEI victories of the week. The 17-year-old stallion, owned by Spy Coast Farm, LLC, holds an impressive record of countless wins in his seven years with Sweetnam.
No stranger to the winner’s circle at the American Gold Cup, Sweetnam captured the Fidelity Investments® Classic CSI 4* with Indra Van De Oude Heihoef in 2017 and hopes to repeat his success in Friday’s $80,000 American Gold Cup Qualifier CSI 4*-W and in Sunday’s highly anticipated grand prix.
Shane Sweetnam (IRL) & Cyklon during the awards ceremony
Shane Sweetnam – $10,000 1.45m Jumper CSI4*, presented by Morrissey Management Group, winner
“[Cyklon 1083] has won an awful lot of classes in his life so he’s naturally very quick. I tried to stay as tight as I could [to each fence]. I think that made the difference in the end. I didn’t do less strides, but the turns back to the fences helped.”
On Cyklon 1083:
“He’s 17 years young and with the classes that we do, we try to make them count. He’s a little strong but that’s why he is so fast because he likes to go forward. He’s super careful and he has the biggest heart in the world. Already in the past year he has had great results in the Hamptons, won a class in Aachen and placed in both classes in Dublin. He’s just so consistent so I can always trust him and stick to my plan. He’ll go tomorrow and then he will be finished for the week. He’s a star and I love him.”
On the American Gold Cup:
“I have come to the American Gold Cup several years in a row now. I won the Saturday class here last year and I’d like to hopefully win another good class here. I’d really like to be in contention for the grand prix here. I’ve always had one unlucky rail so I am hoping to change that this year. The plan is to ride Indra Van De Oude Heihoef in the grand prix.”
$10,000 1.45m Jumper CSI 4*, presented by Morrissey Management Group:
Place / Athlete / Horse / Country / Faults | Time
1. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) & Cyklon 1083 – 0 | 61.29
2. Willie Tynan (IRL) & Fancy Girl – 0 | 63.46
3. Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) & Fantast – 0 | 63.82
4. Lacey Gilbertson (USA) & Baloppi / Lacey Gilbertson – 0 | 67.33
5. Callan Solem (USA) & VDL Wizard – 0 | 70.75
6. Cormac Hanley (IRL) & Copain Z – IRL / 4 | 63.61
7. Mattias Tromp (USA) & Eyecatcher / Mattias Tromp – 4 | 63.76
8. Quentin Judge (USA) & Venice Beach – USA / 4 | 66.03
9. Erynn Ballard (CAN) & J’adore Van Het Klinkhof – 4 | 67.65
10. Margie Engle (USA) & USA Normande – USA / 4 | 68.78
11. Mattias Tromp (USA) & Crack Elle Chavannaise – 4 | 69.27
12. Beat Mändli (SUI) & Tarioso Manciais – 4 | 74.56
Source: Press release by Taylor Rains / Phelps Media Group for The American Gold Cup
Photos: © The Book
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Categories: CSI 4*
Tagged as: American Gold Cup, CSI 4*, Cyklon 1083, Equestrian, Horse Sport Ireland, Horses, Ireland, Jumper News, Old Salem Farm, Results, Shane Sweetnam, Showjumping, SWB, Swedish Warmblood, Team Ireland Equestrian
