Wellington, Florida, USA – February 04, 2023 – Competition during the fourth week of the 2024 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) concluded on Sunday with back-to-back international events on the grass derby field at Equestrian Village. The day came to an end with 41 entries for the $62,500 Hérmes Classic CSI 4* – 1.50m where Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam (IRL) secured a victory aboard Irandole du Flot. Lima’s final course produced a consistent 14 clear in the first round and Sweetnam made his return halfway through the short track with Seabrook LLC’s 10-year-old Belgian Sport Horse mare (Vivaldi du Seigneur x Ogano Sitte), a newer mount for him. 

“This horse has had a great week,” he stated. “She was first in her first class out, and then second on Friday, and now she’s won today. She’s really maturing and stepping up. She only did her first 1.50m class at the end of last year so to be this competitive already against this standard of horses shows how good she is.” 

Sweetnam’s fellow countryman Cian O’Connor (IRL) followed suit with his own 10-year-old Selle Français mare Eve D’Ouilly (Qlassic Bois Margot x Poor Boy) clocking in just after Sweetnam’s time of 38.40 seconds with a time of 38.95 seconds.

Katie Dinan (USA) earned the final podium position on the Grant Road Partners LLC’s 14-year-old Selle Français mare Atika des Hauts Vents (Rock’N Roll Semilly x Scherif D’Elle), registering no penalties in 39.29 seconds.

While Sweetnam has high hopes for his new mount, he felt the afternoon’s class was a perfect stepping stone up into the bigger leagues.

“It’s a great class because it’s not a grand prix but it’s a top class,” he added. “You can really judge where your horse is experienced and also where they need more education, whereas a grand prix like yesterday is a very tough class so if the horse is inexperienced they can get lost. They learn a lot in these 12 weeks of circuit and it’s great to have options like the grass and the international ring throughout the season.”

The 2024 Hermès 1.50m Championship Jumper Series will take place weekly throughout WEF, culminating during Week 11’s Saturday Night Lights with $150,000 in prize money. Riders who consistently compete in the series will accumulate points towards the series’ title, a $10,000 Hermès store credit and a bespoke Hermès horse rug.

Final Results – $62,500 Hérmes Classic CSI 4* – 1.50m

1) Shane Sweetnam (IRL) & Irandole du Flot – 0 / 0 – 38.40

2) Cian O’Connor (IRL) & Eve D’Ouilly – 0 / 0 – 38.95

3) Katie Dinan (USA) & Atika des Hauts Vents – 0 / 0 – 39.29

Source: Press Release (edited) from Wellington International

Photos: © Wellington International / Sportfot

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