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March 18, 2017

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Shane Sweetnam and McLain Ward win in Traverse City (2)

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September 20, 2025

By Staff Writers

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. 

Karl Cook won the Grand Prix in St. Tropez with Laura Kraut third (2)

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September 21, 2025

By Staff Writers

ST. TROPEZ, France--Karl Cook on Caracole de La Roque won the CSIO5* 1.60m Grand Prix on Friday, Sept. 19 during the week of the fourth and last qualifier of the season in the Longines League of Nations.

Karl Cook on Caracole de La Roque (Photo by Ecory)Laura Kraut on Bisquetta placed third of the 49 competitors in the competition over two rounds, over  curses designed by Grégory Bodoof France.

Cook and Kraut were the only two Americans that entered the class.

“Our horses arrived later than expected at the show, so there was a little uncertainty about their condition," said Cook. "Apparently Caracole wasn’t bothered and seemed delighted to be back in France! Winning is always special, but going last in the jump-off makes it even sweeter."

"The facilities are incredible, and the arena and warm-up are spacious, which we really appreciate," said Cook. "The setting and the atmosphere also help us feel at our best.” 

The first course featured 14 obstacles and 17 jumping efforts, with the closing stages, notably the triple combination at fence 13 set against the warm-up arena, proving particularly testing.

Only nine riders managed to go clean and earn their ticket to the second round, which was open to the top t2 from round one.

SWEDEN'S Wilma Hellström on Cicci BJN, Kraut with Bisquetta and France’s Jeanne Sadran on Dexter de Kerglenn all delivered clean opening clears.

They were joined by Nina Mallevaey of France on Destine To Be and Erika Lickhammer-Van Helmond of Sweden with I. Comme Tessa VHL as well as Cook, Stephan de Freitas Barcha of Brazil on Dinozo Imperio Egipcio, Simon Delestre of France on Golden Boy DK) and Alain Jufer of Switzerland on Dante MM.

Riders returned in reverse order for the second round, with Cook, trained by Eric Navet of Francde, holding the advantage of going last after recording the fastest time in round one.

Before him, Brazil’s Stephan de Freitas Barcha had gone into the lead in 41.59 seconds, edging world no. 12 Laura Kraut, who finished in 41.76.

But Cook relied on the agility and scope of his bay mare to stop the clock at 41.06, claiming his third CSIO5* Grand Prix victory after Rotterdam , Netherlands, third leg of the Longines League of Nations, and Falsterbo, Sween.

De Freitas Barcha had to settle for second, while Kraut completed the podium in third, followed by Sadran in fourth and Hellström in fifth.

Kent Farrington on Greya won the $340,000 American Gold Cup (2)

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September 22, 2025

By Staff Writers

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.--World no. 1 Kent Farrington on Greya won the $340,000 American Gold Cup during the final day of the Traverse City Horse Shows, Sunday, Sept. 21.

Kent Farrington on Greya (Photo by Megan Giese)Farrington set a new standard with Grey  as together they won a record sixth five-star grand prix inside a year m finishing with the Gold Cup.

The American Gold Cup was first awarded in 1970 and has been won by some of show jumping’s most legendary names throughout its 55-year history.

The event has been held at  Flintfields Horse Park in Traverse City since 2020, the sixth location to host it.

Farrington was the first of six in the jump-of the course set by Alan Wade of Ireland as he designed his 11th American Gold Cup track this week.

Riding Greya, Farrington set the time to beat in the jump-off at 34.75 seconds, which would stand as the winning result.

Farrington has now won the American Gold Cup three times, previously in 2016 and 2020.

“MY BIGGEST concern today was going to be measuring the speed it was going to take to win,” said Farrington. “You don’t want to be chasing what somebody else can do—you have to know what your horse’s best possible round is. I tried to put down a solid effort where they were going to have to do something special to beat me, and luckily it worked out.”

The win helped Farrington to match his record of six grand prix wins in a calendar year, a title he also carries aboard the now retired Gazelle.

“We produce these horses, which is a long but rewarding process. I’m really proud of my team and the horses we have today and I’m enjoying the journey,” said Farrington. “This is an incredible horse and an amazing athlete; she can do everything she needs to be able to in the sport. I’m looking forward to the future and trying to enjoy the moment at the same time.”

Irish Olympian Shane Sweetnam started the day as a hopeful for an American Gold Cup hat trick after winning the historic title in 2022 and 2024 with James Kann Cruz, but he finished in 35.97, just over a second off the winning time, to finish second.

“James Kann Cruz was great, Greya is just a faster horse,” said Sweetnam. “Even going in, I knew it would be a long shot. I watched Greya’s round and knew that it probably wouldn’t be caught but I’ve already had about six or seven second-place finishes this year, so I was going to give it a go no matter what. I didn’t feel I left much out there."

“For North America, this is the highlight of the summer,” he said. “Since I’ve come over from Ireland, it has been a special class held at brilliant venues.”

Fellow Irish Olympian Daniel Coyle on Farrel was third in 36.49.

The finish was a momentous one after the now 15-year-old Farrel was sidelined for six years from an injury as a 9-year-old.

“Every round on this horse feels like a bonus because there was a point we never thought he would jump again, let alone double clear in a five-star,” said world no. 11 Coyle. “The American Gold Cup is an iconic event for riders from any country, and I’m thrilled to get a piece of it.”

“I think this has been a great proving ground for many horses—not just mine,” Farrington said. “It’s a great place to build with two-star and national divisions where we can also ride young horses at the same time. They bring in excellent course builders like we had today with Alan Wade as one of the best in the world. That’s really what helps elevate the level of sport in conjunction with having great competitors and world-class horses.”

U.S. won the Grand Prix and finished sixth in Nations Cup in St. Tropez to qualify for the Final in Barcelona (2)

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September 23, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

ST. TROPEZ, France--The U.S. team of Laura Kraut, Alessandra Volpi,, Alex Matz and Karl Cook finished sixth in he Nations Cup in St. Tropez pn Sunday, Sept. 21 after Cook and Kraut finished first and third in the Grand Prrx on Friday.

 Karl Cook on Caracole de la Roque winning the Grand Prix (Photo by EcoryBut the most important result of the Nations Cup finish was that it qualified the U.S. for the Final in Barcelona on October 2-5.

"Karl and Laura were brilliant Friday night over two very hard courses, and we did qualify for Barcelona," said chef d'equipe Robert Ridland, "We have had an unprecedented series of winning either the grand prix or the Nations Cup on Nations Cup weekends. There's only been one CSIO5* where we haven't won one or the other."

Usually, each rider's top horse is saved for the Nations Cup as competing in in a two round class over a difficult course on Friday can leave a horse a little tired for Sunday's class.

But, the U.S. team only had to finish the Nations Cup to qualify for Barcelona, and knowing that Ridland had Cook on Caracole de la Roque and Kraut on Bisquetta compete in the Grand Prix.

"That probably figured a little" said Ridland about Kraut having a rail down in round one and two rails down in round two and Cook having a rail in round two.

The U.S. finished just two rails off a podium finish, but ti was round one that was the real nail biter.

IN ROUND one, the final two riders, one for Ireland and one from France, both had to have a rail down for the U.S. to even make round two, but David Simpson for Ireland and Marc Dilasser for France had two rails and one rail down respectively, and the U.S. qualified for round two on 12 faults.

Kraut on Bisquetta, first to go for the U.S., had a block out of the wall for four faults, Volpi on Gypsy Love had eight faults, Matz on Ikigai had an uncharacteristic 16 faults and Cook on Caracole was clean to finish as one of three teams  on 12 faults.

With only three riders in round two, Kraut had eight faults, Volpi came back with a beautiful clean round and Cook had one rail to finish sixth on 24 faults.

Great Britain won on 15 faults with Italy second with 16 faults and Belgium third with 17 faults, followed by Germany on 18 faults and France on 20 faults.

The U.S. Young Riders team won the Youth Nations Cup while the Junior team placed third in their Youth Nations Cup (2)

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September 25, 2025

By Staff Writers

LIER, Belgium--The two U.S. teams that competed in the FEI Youth Jumping Nations Cup Final had spectacular results, with the Young Riders team finishing first in its category and the Junior team placing third in its category over three daysof competiton ending Sept. 21.

Young Rider winning teamThe U.S. Jumping Young Rider Team finished on a final total of zero faults to twin the gold medal, while the U.S. Jumping Junior Team won bronze on combined final score of four faults.

Belgium was second in Young Rider with one fault and Switzerland was third with four faults, while the Junior team competition was won by Sweden with zero faults and Ireland was second on four faults but a faster combined time than the U.S.

Both teams were led by Chef d’Equipe Anne Kursinski and Team Leader Erin Keating.

“We had another very successful week here in Belgium, and I am extremely proud of our athletes and their horses for their effort, focus, and determination this week,” said Kursinski. “With podium finishes in both categories, and a win in a very competitive Young Rider final, these riders have gained valuable experience in a high-pressure team atmosphere which is crucial in their continued progression through the pathway. I always leave these finals with such optimism and excitement for the future of our sport and program, as well as for these athletes, as they continue to develop and deliver results for the U.S.”

THE U.S. Jumping Young Rider Team produced consistent results throughout the first and second qualifying competitions, and with a tremendous effort in the final round, the first three combinations were clean to definitively secure their win.

Youth team celebratesThe team entered the Final after finishing on top of the first qualifying class on Thursday on zero faults and in second overall in the second qualifying class on four faults on Friday.

With the final starting with a clean score sheet for the six qualified teams, Skylar Wireman of (Bonsall, Calif., on Barclino B was the lead-off rider for the team, over the track designed by Henk Linders of Netherlands.

Wireman was clean and stopped the timers in 73.34 seconds to set the pace for the team from the very start.

Olivia Sweetnam of Wellington, Fla., and Lexington, Ky. on Epic was second in the team’s order, finishing with another strong clear round to keep the team on zero heading into the third rotation.

Alexa Elle Lignelli of New York, N.Y., on XO Zadora, who jumped clear for the team in all three classes of the week, helped to cement the team’s podium-topping performance with a third consecutive clear round for the team, relieving the anchor rider Carlee McCutcheon of Aubrey, Texas on Aralyn Blue from needing to jump in the final round.

“Anne and Erin Keating’s leadership allowed us to really feel prepared and understand where we needed to focus to perform, which was a huge part of the team’s success this week,” said Lignelli. “When you have so many different areas to think about as a rider, their leadership really allowed us to hone-in on what it would take to deliver the best results possible."

"I’ve had such a great experience both years I’ve done this Final, last year winning with the Junior team, and again this year with the Young Riders. I felt like this year I had more experience and a better plan coming into this championship," she said.  "Zadora is such a special mare, and I feel like we’ve been building towards this kind of result with the consistency and connection in our partnership. So many people help to make these kinds of results possible, but a huge thank you to my team, Zack Will, Diego Perez Bilbao, Lillie Keenan, and Guga Malta de Abreau, of course, my parents for everything they do, and the USA Jumping program for giving us the opportunity to be here.”

The U.S. Jumping Junior Team also was successful after a strong week of qualifying competition leading into the final, which saw the team jump to zero faults in both the first and second qualifying classes.

Campbell Brown of Fayetteville, Ark., on Colina Z was the pathfinder, crossing through the finish with just four faults and stopping the timers in 71.42 seconds.

Sophia Ayers of Reddick, Fla., on Conthinder ensured the team continued to fight for a podium position after producing a clear round in the second rotation.

JJ Torano of Wellington, Fla., and Mohsville, Pa., on Lyon 50 had the team’s second clear round to keep the competition tight with both Sweden and Ireland heading into the final rotation to determine the podium placings.

Philippa Ammann of Wellington, Fla., on Zarina de Vidau had a fast four fault round as anchors to ensure the team would stay in the top three, marking a third consecutive podium finish for the U.S. Jumping Junior Team at the event.

The team finished on a final total of four faults at the conclusion of the class, to take third place behind Sweden and Ireland.

Phillip Dutton won the Four Star Eventing at Plantation Field with Boyd Martin second (2)

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September 24, 2025

By SARA CAVANAGH

UNIONVILLE, Pa.--Phillip Dutton on Possante won the CCI four star Eventing at Plantation Field on Sept. 21.

Phillip Dutton on Possante in stadium jumping (Photo by Randolph PR)Dutton and Boyd Martin, the two who have been the backbone of U.S. international teams for the past decade, placed first and second. 

Dutton led through all thee phases, finishing on 26.9, adding just 2.4 time faults to his first place dressage score of 24.5 after going clean both in stadium jumping and over the fences on the cross country.

Martin on Commando 3 placed second, adding just 5.6 time faults on cross country to his third place dressage score of 26..7.

Caroline Pamukcu on HSH Blake moved up from eighth in dressage on 29.1 to sixth after jumping, and then to third on 32.7, adding just 3.6 time on cross country.

There were 28 starters with only six eliminated or retired.

"Possante came from England, but he had a few issues when he came, so I took my time with him," said Dutton. "He's pretty established now, and he's pretty good in all three phases. He's good on the flat. Lauren Hough has been helping me with jumping. He looks like he has a good future."

"HE'S GOING next to Morven four star, " said Dutton."I was tempted to take him to Fair Hill five star, but he hasn't done a four star long yet, and he's not qualified for next year, so the first priority was to get him qualified.

PhillipD utton on Possante (Photo by Randolph PR)"I'm getting to the end of my career,, so i just want to do the best I can with him and to produce him as well as possible.

"The cross country caused a fair amount of trouble," he said. "The terrain has lots of up and down, and that makes it difficult. There are a lot of riders who don't have the experience of riding on hilly terrain."

Chester County is close to drought conditions, but Dutton said the course was in good condition.

"We had rain on Wednesday, and Jamie Hicks has been taking good care of it throughout the year," said Dutton.  "This was a strong four star course and a good preparation for Morven."

"I had a good run," said Martin, who was riding Commando, who was second in the Kentucky five star earlier this year and was the alternate for the Paris Olympics. "I was using this as a prep for the Maryland five star."

"Plantation was run under new management, and I was extremely impressed." said Martin. "There was new footing in the dressage and jumping rings. It was a big, bold track cross country that gave horses a good experience,"

Martin will be competing on Luke 140 along with Commando at Fair Hill.

Keeeneland September Yearling Sale set records (2)

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September 25, 2025

By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky--The Keeneland September Yearling Sales 12 day sale that ended Saturday, Sept. 30 set records across the board including the number of $ million plus yearlings sold, gross, average and median.

Keeneand sales topperThe Keeneland sale sells in blocks, with the yearlings that are graded the highest sold first.

The first six days set records, but, as been true of sales for the past few years, the yearlings auctioned late in the sale were hard pressed to meet their expenses of combined stud fee and costs of raising a foal and costs of taking them to the sale.

The top yearlings bring incredibly high prices, like buying a yearling for over a million when you have no idea if it will even make it to the races much less become a champion, but no one wants the unfashionably bred ones or the ones with minor imperfections.

At Keeneland, 56  $1 million yearlings were among numerous high marks that define a record-setting auction.

Over 12 sessions, the sale rewrote records by selling 3,070 horses for a total of $531.5 million: the highest gross ever realized at a Thoroughbred auction worldwide.

Historic highlights included 56 yearlings bringing seven figures, besting the previous record of 40 set in 2005 and led by a $3.3 million Gun Runner colt purchased by M.V. Magnier, Peter Brant’s White Birch Farm and Ron Winchell’s Winchell Thoroughbreds.

HELD SEPT. 8-20, the auction produced $510,544,900 in through-the-ring sales to finish 23.99% higher than last year’s $411,749,500.

Gross sales increased to $531,520,400 when the additional $20,975,500 in post sales reported to date are added.

The combined figure also tops the previous record gross of nearly $428 million from 2024.

“What an incredible September Sale,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “We definitely had reasons to be optimistic going in, but the strength of the results day after day exceeded even our highest expectations. From start to finish, the energy on the grounds never waned. Buyers from around the world were here in force, the Sales Pavilion was vibrant and the sense of community and excitement was palpable. You could feel that energy.

“It cannot be overstated that the success of this sale is a direct result of the loyalty of the breeders, sellers, consignors and buyers who return to Keeneland year after year and place their horses and their trust with us,” Arvin said. “Our team works hard to honor that trust by striving for excellence in every detail: recruiting buyers from across the globe, providing unmatched hospitality and ensuring the highest standards throughout the sale. It’s the coming together of these efforts –along with the commitment of our participants – that makes moments like this possible. We are so grateful to everyone who helped make this the highest-grossing Thoroughbred sale in history.”

Additional September Sale records in sales through the ring were set in the following categories:

For the fifth year in a row, a record cumulative average of $175,807 was established. The average increased 16.78% over last year’s previous record $150,548.

Cumulative median price of $80,000 rose 14.29% over last year’s previous record $70,000.

Record session average and median ($675,180/$550,000) were set on Day 2, which broke records in both categories set the previous day.

Each of the first four sessions posted a record average and median for the respective sessions.

Number of $1 million horses to sell during a single session (20 on Day 2).
Week 1 (first four days/Books 1-2) total sales of $307,639,000 with 53 horses bringing $1 million or more.

In other key metrics:

18 buyers spent $5 million or more, compared to 14 last year.
120 buyers spent $1 million or more, compared to 96 last year.
56 seven-figure horses sold to a record 34 unique buyers.
266 horses sold for $500,000 or more versus 185 last year.

Buyers represented 33 countries with participation from as far away as Asia, the Middle East and Europe to underscore the size and scope of Keeneland’s deep buying bench.

 Not This Time was the September Sale’s leading sire by total sales, with 55 yearlings by the stallion selling for $38.58 million (includes private sales). They included 14 horses sold for $1 million or more, led by a $2 million filly purchased by David Lanigan, Ted Durcan, agent for Mrs. Cindy Heider. 

During Week 1, 12 yearlings by Gun Runner brought seven figures or more, and his colts topped every session to help him to an average of $932,917 for 36 horses. For the entire sale, 40 yearlings by Gun Runner sold for $35,085,000 (includes post sales to date).

Kevin Babington's post on Facebook (2)

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September 26, 2025

By Staff Writers

Kevin Babington's post on Facebook

Kevin Babington rehabilitatingIt’s been six years since I hit the ground.

I have made the best of it.

I have tried to set an example of getting on with it and to contribute in some way.

To the industry, to my daughters and Dianna, and to our customers.

I have much to offer still.

I am proud that my accident has helped others and hopeful it will continue to past my lifespan.

When I fell the hardest part was coming to a full stop.

People who know me know I was moving 100 mph.

We all were.

Di was teaching and riding and running to Boston for clients up north.

We were operating the mill.

I was laser focused on my career.

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