TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.--Irish Olympian Shane Sweetnam on James Kann Cruz is primed for the 2025 American Gold Cup after winning the $117,000 CSI5* Qualifier on Friday, Sept. 20.
Shane Sweetnam on James Kann Cruz (Photo by Megan Geise Photography)Sweetnam won in a 10-horse jump-off over a course set by Alan Wade, and then Ward won over the 10 that make it to the second round in the Winning Round on Saturday.
Sweetnam on James Kann Cruz has previously won the American Gold Cup at Traverse City Horse Shows in 2022 and 2024.
“We are having a great career together and ‘Gizmo’ is fresh right now, so I wanted to give this class today some respect for $117,000 and try to win it,” said Sweetnam after finishing clean n 33.71 seconds.
“He’s very sensitive," said Sweetnam. But if you do the right things, you get a reward for it, so it’s worth it. He feels great and jumped fantastic today, so hopefully we’ll have some luck on Sunday.”
Erynn Ballard, currently the top-ranked Canadian in the world, was second in the Qualifier on Dior, clean in 34.62 seconds, and Conor Swail of Ireland finished third on Clonterm Obolensky in 38.39 seconds.
“I LOVE coming here,” said Sweetnam, who also watched his children compete successfully. “The standard is great at the top level, but also at the junior and young rider level. Olivia is in Belgium this week competing well for the American team, and Collin will hopefully be headed to Prix des States. Traverse City has played a big role in their development as riders.”
McLain Ward on Princess Dalou H (Photo by Megan Geise Photography(Five-star action continued Saturday with the $62,500 CSI5* Winning Round, won by five-time U.S. Olympian Mclain Ward on Princess Dalou H.
The 10 fastest from the first round made it to the second round, in which Ward went third.
Ward is renowned for his ability to make tight turns without losing any forward impulsion, and he again rode a beautiful clean round, finishing in 37.82.
Both Daniel Coyle of Ireland and Ballard had two horses that made the second round, and they went after Ward in the second round but couldn't catch him.
Coyle on Incredible was clean in 38.19 seconds, just a half second slower than Ward to finish second.
Ballard, who had another class in which she finished in the top three, was third on Let’s Fly in 38.67 seconds.
The American Gold Cup is Sunday, beginning at 2 PM ET.
