Sweetnam closes on RDS dream
The Cork rider is now aged 30, has become a regular contributor to the Irish team cause and now he is hopeful of belatedly adding Dublin to his CV.
“I first rode at Dublin Horse Show when I was 10 or 11, so that was about 20 years ago. I can’t remember much, so it mustn’t have been very auspicious,” said Sweetnam, who relocated to the US eight years ago and rides out of Florida, moving to Kentucky for the summer.
“Naturally, it would be a dream come true to be on the team. Every boy and girl in Ireland involved in show jumping dreams about riding in the Aga Khan... and winning the Aga Khan,” he says, as if it needed to be emphasised.
Before the Kanturk man realises his childhood ambition though, he must count on Ireland manager and fellow Corkman Robert Splaine, who will finalise his deliberations today before selecting tomorrow’s four-rider team from a squad that, apart from Sweetnam, includes Shane Breen (Carmena Z), Denis Lynch (All Inclusive NRW), Billy Twomey (Tinka’s Serenade) and Nicola FitzGibbon (Puissance).
Sweetnam knows there are no certainties but he can be expected to make his Dublin Nations Cup debut, following impressive performances with the stallion Amaretto D’Arco on the winning side in France and with the team that staged a brilliant comeback to place second in Germany. He also featured on teams in the US, Italy and Switzerland.
“The horse has been consistent for the Irish team, so I’m confident of lining out on Friday but, obviously, it is a decision for Robert,” said Sweetnam, who is the stable jockey for Spy Coast Farm in the US, while also running his own Sweet Oak Farm with wife Ali.
While Ireland led the FEI Nations Cup Series in the early stages, Splaine’s charges have slipped to third following their equal-sixth finish last weekend in the British leg.
Sweetnam says it holds no portents for tomorrow.
“It is a different team to the one at Hickstead, and four of the squad for tomorrow made up the team that were second in Aachen, where we were unlucky not to be jumping for first place. So, all in all, I think we have a strong chance.”
Irish fans had reason to cheer yesterday, with another Corkman, Billy Twomey, scoring with ease in the Speed Stakes ahead of Down’s Conor Swail on Coulthard 2.
The Fáilte Stakes was won by American Laura Kraut, who guided Dona Evita to a 1.6-second win over Britain’s Robert Smith on Balourado. Keeping the Irish flag flying was Capt David O’Brien on Drumiller Lough.
Another American, Lauren Hough (Blue Angel), won the Irish Sports Council Classic. Nicola FitzGibbon and Puissance produced the only Irish double clear to finish fifth.
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